Psychology

In the book, Educational Psychology, written by Jeanne Ellis Ormond, Ms. Ormond gives details on adapting to individual and group needs on pages 148-160. She discusses differences in students and how to deal with those that have special needs. I will examine five points that I find important to me and explain them.

Measuring Intelligence

What? Intelligence is the capacity of how one thinks rationally, acts purposefully, and effectively deals with the environment. Measuring one's intelligence is testing general knowledge, vocabulary, perception, memory, and abstract thought.

Why? Intelligence measuring was needed in the early 1900's by the French government. Alfred Binet developed procedures to identify those who might require special help in learning.

How? It is important as a teacher to know if a child has special needs or if a child is not applying itself to the learning task. If a child does have special learning needs and is place in a class that does not teach curriculum that is at this suitable for this child's learning level, the child will become discouraged and frustrated and give up. I would have children's intelligence tested if I believed that there was a learning disability. My nephew had testing done because he was not keeping up with his class. The test proved that what he needed was glasses. These tests also help to find other hidden problems. He has no learning disabilities, just a correctable physical problem.

IQ and School Achievement

What? Studies show that IQ and school achievements are correlated. Students with a higher IQ do better than those with a lower IQ. High IQ students usually excel on Achievement test and have higher grades.

Why? Heredity and environment contribute to IQ or intelligence. The genetic make-up received from the child's biological parents play a part in the child's IQ. How the child is brought up and the type of care and nurturing the child receives is important in the child's IQ level.

How? I believe that a child's IQ is important to know as a teacher. However, I think that EQ is also very important in how a child learns. I think that there should be a balance in the two. My oldest sister has a very high IQ and a low EQ. She started college and was doing very well when she just decided to quit. On the other hand, my other sister has an average IQ and average EQ, is a college graduate, and is employed by Cornell University. I fit in with the average for both IQ and EQ and I am excelling in my life.

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligence's

What? Gardner believed that there are seven different types of intelligence. These seven types are relatively independent of one another; these intelligences are linguistic, musical, logical-mathematics, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, intrapersonal, and interpersonal.

Why? This theory is important in the fact that teacher may find different forms of intelligence in different students. Cultures, genetics and environment effect this theory.

How? I believe that this is a important theory as a teacher because it points out that just because a student is not good in one area of learning does not mean that the student will not excel in learning in another area. I believe that these skills grow and mature at different rates in students. I was good with language and bodily-kinesthetic