Learning styles - the Theory of Multiple Intelligences Research Paper

Learning styles - the Theory of Multiple Intelligences - Research Paper Example In the modern education setting, students are aware of what they are expected to learn in a particular unit of study. Learning styles also determine the learning assessment system used in measuring whether a student has learnt what is expected of him or her after a certain period. Based on the learning styles, assessment of students involves comparing a student’s performance with set standards and communication of results and learning outcomes to the parents and students. There exists numerous learning styles that encompass various approaches of explaining how students learn (Reza and Reza, 2010). In order to understand learning styles, this paper will Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences as a learning style. Howard Gardner originally developed the theory of multiple intelligences in the year 1983. Gardner viewed intelligence as the ability and capacity in solving problems and fashioning products that are valued in cultural setting(s). He believed that there was n eed for paradigm shift in learning (Gardner and Seana, 2006). According to him, intelligence of a human being should not be equated with linguistic intelligence or logical-mathematical only. Gardner’s theory emerged from recent studies and research that have found out that students possessed different minds and therefore have the ability of learning, performing, comprehending, and remembering in different ways (Gardner, 1999). Gardner developed a list of intelligences that all individuals are able to know. The list argues that individuals differ in the strength of these intelligences, as well as in ways through which such intelligences are combined and invoked in solving different problems, carrying out diverse tasks and progressing in different domains. He argues that this new paradigm challenges the conventional educational system which makes an assumption that all individuals have the ability of learning the same materials in the same way and that a uniform, universal meas ure suffices while testing students’ learning (Gardner and Seana, 2006). The theory of multiple intelligences as developed by Gardner further postulates that the educational system is biased towards linguistic and logical-quantitative modes of instruction and assessment (Gardner, 1999). Based on this background, Gardner developed a set of intelligences that are more likely to be effective in learning and education in general. The first one is Visual-spatial intelligence; it involves thinking in terms of physical space. Learners who possess this intelligence are very aware of their environments and they like drawing and reading maps. Sailors and architects are example of people possessing this intelligence (Gardner and Moran, 2006). The second one is Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, which involves effective use of the body. It has been found out that individuals possessing this intelligence have immense sense of body awareness and are very comfortable with movements. Dancers a nd athletes are examples of people possessing this intelligence. The third intelligence is musical intelligence which largely relates to sensitivity to rhythm and sound. Learners who possess this intelligence are sensitive to sounds in their environment and love music. They mostly use tools such as stereo, musical instruments, multimedia and CD-ROM (Reza and Reza, 2010). In addition, Gardner identifies Linguistic intelligence that involves ability of effectively using words.

Information System Reasarch Project Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Information System Reasarch Project - Article Example In fact, any reliable structured source of information can be referred to as a database. The properties and design of database systems are incorporated in the curriculum of information technology (1). Central to the concept of a database is a collection of records, information, and answers to some particular queries. In a given data base, there is a dovetailed description of the facts held in order in the database. This is referred to as schema. In a typical schema, there would be several linked objects and their related data. You can actually juxtapose the said objects similarity versus their contrasts in a schematic table from a database. There are several ways of setting up a schema to organize a database; these are referred to as data models or data base models (5). The most popular and user friendly is the relational model which retrieves the data in rows and columns, arranged into tables. It highlights the links between the tables of the common objects in them. Other models, which are more technical, are the hierarchical model and the network model. Professionals mostly use these. The whole spectrum of computer software hinges on the many applications of databases. The preferred methods of storage of information, especially for large multi-user applications where several users access the information simultaneously, are databases. Even the individual user finds these data bases a convenient source of information. Almost all electronic mail programs and personal organizers find their basis in the standard database technology (3). Software data base drivers interconnect the database platforms so that application software can use a common application-programming interface. These software database drivers are easily available and are used to retrieve the information sought for and which is stored in a database. The most commonly used database APIs are JDBC and ODBC. The data fed into the databases follows various techniques. Most databases have a parent model that they are fashioned after, although nowadays, it is quite common for products to give support to more than one model of database. One logical model can have various physical implementations because most of the support programs offered will allow the user some degree of control in choice. The choice in turn makes a significant effect on performance. For example, in the relational model, all serious implementations of the relational model operate under the assumption that the values of certain columns are known and therefore it allows the creation of indexes, which give fast access to rows in a particular table. Different data base models A bird's eye view of the database models popularly used today is (2): Flat model: This database is made up of a single, two-dimensional collection of data elements in which all the data programmed in is assumed to have similar values and all the objects row-wise are assumed to be related to each other. Hierarchical model: The data in this resembles a tree like structure and the upward reaching branches are actually single upward links for each record categorized there in. This creates a sort field to keep the data in a particular ordained