When flipping through my
Zite magazine on my iPad this morning, this
info graphic below popped to the surface visualizing the seven intelligences made famous by Howard Gardner.
We talk much about the different intelligences at Proctor, especially in our
Learning Skills program where students explore themselves as learners and help develop tools that will unlock their true potential. Every school seeks to value multiple intelligences through its academic courses, but not many are able to offer the diverse range of offerings Proctor does.
Whether a student is a visual/spatial learner and is able to excel in Studio Art, or is more of a solitary learner and thrives on time to reflect through individual efforts in an independent study, opportunities abound for every type of student. Physical/kinetic learners can unveil their talents in courses like Architectural Design, Boat Building and Industrial Design, while the verbal learner benefits from the frequent debates, speeches, and seminar discussions in Social Science classes.
Aural learners can have a field day in Proctor's numerous music classes, ranging from instrumental ensemble, to Chamber Choir to music history, and social learners are able to blossom not only in Proctor's off-campus experiential programs, but through intimate on-campus class experiences focused on group work.
Logical learners have the same opportunities through a wide range of math and science classes including unique offerings like Forensics, Genetics, Math for Engineering (responsible for designing and launching the rockets in the pictures on this blog), and Math Design Theory, alongside the staples of AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Calculus and AP Statistics.
While we often hang our hat on the breadth of course offerings at Proctor, we are perhaps most proud of the breadth of learner able to excel in each of these courses. Perhaps I am biased, but I truly believe our teachers have a unique gift, as they take a learning experience and mold it to the individual learning styles of students. An educational journey is truly unique for each student, not just during their overall Proctor experience, but in each course they take. No two students will demonstrate the desired learning for a class by taking the same path, and that is just fine with us.
We, as educators, learn more each day from our students and their individualized learning styles than we could ever hope to learn from an outside source. Our students force us to evolve as teachers by simply being themselves. Through honoring individual learning styles and designing curriculum that allows for the seven intelligences to be demonstrated, we believe our students become more confident, self-aware, and motivated learners; individuals who are able to take ownership of their own learning and consequently become well equipped for life after Proctor.
As one past student noted, "Proctor and its Learning Skills program do not dwell on weaknesses; they empower you to know your strengths and to capitalize on them."
