Engaging 6th grade students with mathematics by using multiple intelligence theory
Author
Yılmaz, Begüm
Advisor
Sands, M. K.
Date
2012Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
107
views
views
41
downloads
downloads
Abstract
Mathematics is a source of fear for many students and many struggle while learning
mathematics. Most believe that they do not have the ability to learn mathematics and this
perception decreases their motivation. The relationship between teaching and learning
mathematics has been improved by integrating various approaches into the mathematics
lessons. By 2000s, multiple intelligence theory was taken into consideration as one such
approach in Turkey.
This study aimed to explore whether there was a correlation between 6th grade students’
multiple intelligence types and their preferences of components of math lessons
addressing multiple intelligence theory. The study was completed with fourteen 6th grade students with ages ranging from 11- 13 years at Ankara Bilkent Laboratory and
International School, Turkey.
In the first session of the study, students’ multiple intelligence types were identified by
administering a multiple intelligence survey. Then several mathematics lesson activities
based on multiple intelligence theory were implemented during 2 math lessons in block
schedule to discover students’ preferences of learning mathematics. In the next session
students were expected to describe how their learning was affected by classroom
activities based on the multiple intelligence theory. Students reflected on which
activities they liked and which activities were most effective by rating the activities in
the given reflection forms. Students’ reflections and their personal intelligence types
were correlated. It was found that bodily-kinesthetic intelligence was rated to be the
most dominant intelligence among the participating 6th grade students. However, lesson
activities addressing linguistic and mathematical-logical intelligences correlated highest
with students’ mathematical learning.
Keywords
Mathematics educationmultiple intelligence theory
alternative methods for teaching mathematics