Supervisors info:
Παπασιδέρη Ισιδώρα, Καθηγήτρια, Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
According to the Multiple Intelligence theory introduced by Gardner, all people are characterized by at least 8 types of intelligence - different group of abilities, which are the linguistic, the logical-mathematical, the visual/spatial, the bodily-kinesthetic, the musical, the intrapersonal, the interpersonal and the naturalistic intelligence. This theory has drawn the intense interest of the educational community, because its implementation in the teaching act can lead to a more substantial learning by bringing out and utilizing all the abilities the students possess, thus contributing to their manifold development. Researches have shown that teaching approaches based on the theory mentioned above, are more effective in increasing the amount of knowledge compared to the traditional teaching methods, and that they are preferred by students. In an era where the possession of environmental knowledge is necessary, the implementation of teaching approaches based on the Multiple Intelligence theory in the field of Environmental Education and more specific in the courses of Science Education, which are part of the obligatory education, such as Biology, is considered significant. Taking into account the necessity of facing the “Plant Blindness” phenomenon, which refers to the ignorance of plants by people and is related to inadequate knowledge about them, the importance of effective approaches, such as the one mentioned, in teaching units associated with plants of the Biology course is highlightened.
All the above have led to the realization of this thesis, which intends to the development of a lesson plan involving the 8 types of intelligence about the sexual reproduction in plants, which is presented the Biology course in the first class of High School, and the conduction of a research regarding the effectiveness of the instruction based on this lesson plan in increasing the amount of students’ knowledge on this topic compared to the traditional instruction. A further goal of the research is the investigation of students’ opinions about this teaching approach, compared to the traditional one.
The research was conducted in 40 students of the first year of High School. The lesson plan based on the theory of Multiple Intelligence was applied in intact class of 19 students whereas traditional instruction took place in intact class of 21 students. Students’ knowledge was tested via questionnaire few days prior and approximately 5 weeks after the instructions. Students’ opinions about the Multiple Intelligence teaching approach in comparison to the traditional instruction were investigated with the use of an open-ended question.
The results of the study showed no significant difference between the two groups before the instructions. After the instructions, there was a significant difference between the total score means of the two groups, in favor of the Multiple Intelligence teaching approach (p<0.05). Students’ opinions about the two different teaching procedures found to be related to understanding, interest and enjoyment, showing preference to the instruction based on the theory of Multiple Intelligence.
Keywords:
Theory of Multiple Intelligence, Environmental Education, Biology, plant sexual reproduction
