Date of Award
2003
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Programs for Higher Education
Advisor
Betty Johnston
Committee Member
Barbara Packer
Keywords
after school education, creativity, enrichment programs, intelligence, learning, middle school students, middle schools, multiple intelligences, music, musical intelligence, spatial intelligence, teaching and learning, traditional learning strategies
Abstract
This applied dissertation was implemented to provide opportunities for nonexceptional middle-school students to demonstrate understanding of learning in the content area using the spatial and musical intelligences. The subject site emphasized more traditional learning strategies thus fewer opportunities existed for students to demonstrate content learning through the music and spatial intelligences.
An after school enrichment study was provided to give students opportunities to demonstrate understanding of learning using the spatial and musical intelligences. An effort was made to minimize traditional practices and place greater emphasis on creative teaching and learning experiences. The eight month study met twice weekly for one hour.
The results of the study indicated that when students were provided opportunity they developed their creativity and exhibited the use of their musical and spatial intelligences to demonstrate understanding of learning.