MI-SIG Newsletter

Are you ready to journey to San Francisco for the AERA annual conference? If not, then it is definitely time to start giving it serious consideration. It is a wonderful place to spend a few days sampling the nearly infinite variety of conference sessions and delving deeply into the MI-SIG’s program. Not to mention local sights and delights! Ken Martin has (once again) lined up a thought provoking set of presentations.

Special Note: Global Perspectives on MI with an international panel and Howard Gardner as invited speaker. Not to be missed! As for myself, I’m looking forward to our Business Meeting where we will two special events. First, we’ll introduce the winners of the first annual Students Research Awards. Second, Rene Diaz-Lefebvre will present on his award winning MI-inspired program at Glendale Community College, AZ. This will also give us the opportunity to discuss the relationship between MI theory and academic achievement.

2nd Special Note: In two years it will be the 25th anniversary of the publication of Frames of Mind. I’m wondering…. how we will mark this occasion? It is important that we start thinking now about what we’d like to do then. Ideas? Bring them with you to SF and if you can’t make it to the conference then please share them with me, or any board member.

The Brain, Neurosciences, and Education SIG has also organized what looks to be a fascinating program of sessions that will be of interest to MI-SIG people. Check them out!

Note AERA News in this issue. At a time when we are pondering ways to raise the profile of MI at AERA these changes can have profound effects.

This issue contains two articles describing MI-inspired schools: Glendale Community College and St. Augustine’s MI-inspired school in Union City, NJ.

Cheers!

Professional Practices in Multiple Intelligences: Roundtable 5

Friday, April 7, 12:00pm to 12:40pm

Room 3009, 3rd floor, Moscone Center West

• Mary Lou Morton, Joanne Callahan
• Brenda Sue Romanof
• Yu-fang Yeh, Wei-yu Liu
• Raul Pizarro
• Discussant: Ken E. Martin

Multiple Intelligences in Global Perspective: Howard Gardner and International Panel

Saturday, April 8, 8:15am to 10:15am

Secion 301, Esplanade Ballroom, Moscone Center South

• Chair: Branton Shearer
• Jie-qi Chen (China)
• Mike Fleetham (United Kingdom)
• Denise Abreu-e-Lima (Brazil)
• Osman Nafiz Kaya (Turkey)

Business Meeting: Multiple Intelligences and Academic Achievement — Setting a Research Aenda among Researchers and Practitioners

Saturday, April 8, 6:15pm to 8:15pm

Room 222, Mezzanine Level East, Moscone Center South

• Chair: Branton Shearer
• Presenter: Rene Diaz Lefebvre (Glendale Community College)
• Discussant: Mindy L. Kornhaber

Probes and Reflection in Multiple Intelligences

Sunday, April 9, 8:15am to 10:15am

Room 270, Mezzanine Level West, Moscone Center South

• Chair: Ken E. Martin
• Kelly Brune (The University of Texas at Austin)
• Osman Nafiz Kaya, Jazlin Ebenezer
• Michael M. Grant, Robert C. Branch
• Branton Shearer
• Discussant: Steven Stemler

Important Dimensions of Multiple Intelligences

Tuesday, April 11, 8:15am to 10:15am

Room 272, Mezzanine Level West, Moscone Center South

• Chair: Ken E. Martin
• Christine J. Villani
• Alev Ayse Yemenici, Sue Teele
• Jie-qi Chen, Gillian D> McNamee
• Denise Abreu-e-Lime
• Marjorie H. Haley
• Discussant: Edqard G. Fierros

Congratulations to Osman Kaya and Keith Apfelbaum for having their MI-related research selected for the first annual Student Research Awards. Osman’s dissertation is entitled, “Invisible Obstacles on the Implementation of MI Theory in K–8 Classrooms in Turkey”. One reviewer described it as a well-designed research experiment that did not mention MI theory explicitly but instead MI was deeply embedded in the work. Keith’s undergraduate research effort entitled, “Towards a Multiple Intelligences-Based Second Language Classroom” was selected as an Honorable Mention award for his efforts to extend research on MI-based second language teaching to the post-secondary language classrooms. Both awardees will receive a travel stipend to attend the AERA conference in San Francisco, April 7–11. Awards will be presented at the MI-SIG business meeting at the conference. A primary mission of the MI-SIG is to encourage and support student researchers who undertake projects that investigate issues related to MI theory and its applications. We encourage your participation and dialogue to assist in this important project. Award winning research summaries will be posted on the MI-SIG website for your review.

MI-SIG member Rene Diaz-Lefebvre reports that the Multiple Intelligences/Learning for Understanding (MI/LfU) Program was created at Glendale Community College in 1994. Against many odds (as is the case for many attempting to challenge the status quo), and 3,600 students later, the MI/LfU Program has been selected as the first place winner in the National Council of Instructional Administrators (NCIA) Exemplary Initiatives Competition in the “Assessment of Student Learning” category. The NCIA is the largest council in the American Association of Community Colleges, serving as a voice for instructional administrators and instructional administration across the nation. This prestigious award (considered the “Nobel Prize” among community colleges) recognizes innovative, creative, groundbreaking initiatives that have proven effective, adaptable/adoptable by other colleges. The award will be presented in April 2006 at the AACC national conference in Long Beach, California.

In addition to the NCIA award, for two years in a row (‘04, ‘05), the MI/LfU Program has been selected as one of the top ten programs in the country by the Community College Futures Assembly Bellwether Award Competition. The Community College Futures Assembly convenes annually as an independent national policy forum for key leaders to work as a “think tank” in identifying critical issues facing the future of community colleges and to recognize Bellwether Award colleges as trend setting institutions.

In the fall of 2005 I had the distinct privilege of spending two days with the faculty and staff and Saint Augustine’s School in Union City, New Jersey. This is by every definition a Multiple Intelligences School. Under the leadership and guidance of its principal, Sister Roberta O’Hea, the school epitomizes a nurturing environment that places students at the heart of every decision made.

When you enter the doors at St. Augustine’s, there is a warm, welcoming feeling, particularly because there are so many amazing people there to greet you. However, it is not until you climb the steps to the classrooms that you can truly see just how talented these educators are and how true dedication can mould a school into a haven. St. Augustine’s is not only a sanctuary for academic learning, but also a harbor for the development of self-confidence and the spirit of teamwork. Each wall of each room is developed and thought out with the students and each project displays the individual strengths of these truly lucky learners. St. Augustine’s is a true paradigm for what an elementary education experience should provide for both the students and the teachers. I believe that if more schools offered a world as deep and rich as the microcosm of St. Augustine’s, our children’s lives would be so enriched and endowed with the inspirational gift of meaningful education.

An article by Principal Sister Roberta O’Hea and photos give a brief glimpse into what makes Saint Augustine’s such a special place and highlights the importance of its value and success in reaching all learners.

As of February, Marjorie Hall Haley reports that there are currently 79 paid members who belong to AERA. Members are well distributed throughout the U.S. and abroad. International countries represented include Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan RC, Indonesia, Australia, Chile, Lebanon, and Turkey.

Our records indicate a significant number of lapsed memberships. It’s not too late! Renew your AERA and MI-SIG membership!

1. A Brain Research Course for Teachers
2. MRI Meta Analysis: Compare/Contrast ADHD & PTSD
3. Functional Neuroimaging Evidence for the Involvement of the Frontal Cortex in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
4. Center of Excellence for Learning in Education, Science, and Technology (CELEST)
5. Neuroscience and Education: Towards Integrated Investigations
6. On the Convergence of Neuroethics, Imaging and Education
7. Launching a Graduate Education Course in Educational Neuroscience
8. Neural Basis of Executive Control in Childhood ADHD
9. The Neuroscience of Reading: What Brain Processes are Involved in Reading?
10. Developmental Neuroscience: Are there Implications for Educational Neuroscience?
11. Education and Neuroscience: Will Collaborations Enhance the Public Good?