MI Chapter 11: MI Theory and Special Education

        Armstrong discusses the many possibilities of using MI theory not only to help your students in the classroom but also to help those students struggling with deficiencies in different areas. He talks about how MI theory can help special education children also. He states that, “MI theory provides a growth paradigm for assisting special needs students in school” (Pg. 150), which means these students have the ability to grow as learners similar to other students. They are able to learn the areas they struggle in by first finding their strength areas. Just like any other students they struggle in some intelligences but excel in others. As an educator our goal is to help them understand through the intelligences they have strengths in and then use this to help them work in the intelligences they are weak in. I need to be a teacher that encourages my students that are facing these struggles and help them excel by teaching them using the intelligences they know to help them grasp the understanding they need. When thinking about special education students and the MI theory all we need to do is to know that the activities that help them succeed are the same that help every other student succeed as well. Armstrong informs the readers that in school we must develop good IEP’s or individualized educational programs. He notifies us that in schools today these programs do not help the special education students instead being a hindrance by teaching them more in the intelligence they struggle with and do not understand. These programs should be helping students by using the intelligences the students know and understand to help them comprehend and succeed in the areas they struggle in. As a teacher, I need to make sure I incorporate MI theory into my lesson for all my students because it has a great impact on all of them.