Chapter 7: MI and the Classroom Environment

Chapter 7 focused upon the environments which foster the best learning results. Rather than merely listing the criteria of the most effective learning environments, the book instead divides the chapter by the eight intelligences, and then provides examples of both effective and ineffective learning methods. For example, to show the positives and negatives of musical intelligence, the book questions “how does the teacher use her voice? Does it vary in intensity, inflection, and emphasis, or does it have a dull monotone quality that puts students to sleep?” (MI 68). This continues throughout the course of the chapter, showing that it is easy to make simple classroom mistakes, yet a compilation of simple mistakes takes away from the overall classroom experience of the student. This is an important concept to remember as a new teacher as no matter how interested a student may be upon entering my class, if I am incapable of incorporating each of the intelligences into my classroom, the students will lose their drive to learn the material. However, if I am able to master this concept, I may be capable of engaging students who have never before showed an interest in the topic. Therefore, I must work to ensure that I am constantly evaluating myself and incorporating all learning styles at all times.