Gardner’s Mindsets for the Future MEXTESOL Tampico 2nd Regional Convention It’s a Small EFL World After all Leticia Vela (lety_vela@atsli.edu.mx)
Professor of Cognition and Education at Harvard University Famous for his Theory of Multiple Intelligences Author of over 20 books and several hundreds of articles. His newest book: Five Minds for the Future
Past Present FUTURE
Digital revolution Biological revolution Environmental revolution Globalization
Be constant, perseverant and seek ongoing improvement Develop a deep knowledge in a particular area—become experts Know something about everything--become lifelong learners Understand vs. memorize
Practical Applications Encourage results that meet high standards Promote daily practice Ensure completion of tasks Motivate students to identify their strengths and specialize in them Foster reading
Know how to collect information from different and reliable sources Understand and objectively evaluate information Disregard unimportant information Analyze, put it all together so it makes sense Communicate it effectively
Practical Applications Demonstrate how to identify different and reliable sources (e.g. TV) Teach how to synthesize Offer sufficient opportunities to communicate findings (e.g. round tables, presentations) Give serious consequences for plagiarism
Know how to ask ‘highorder’ questions Be able to present ideas in different ways Be innovative Understand that creating involves failing and starting again
Practical Applications Motivate students to see things from different view points. Give students the opportunity to create their own problems and solve them. Raise awareness about the possibility of different answers to a same question. Offer different options to present results (videos, blogs, sketches, storyboards, etc.). Motivate students to try new disciplines (learn a 3rd language?)
Accept and value diversity Cultivate understanding of others Be tolerant Develop emotional intelligence Relate effectively with others
Practical Applications Promote the knowledge of other cultures and their customs. Practice tolerance in the CR and set an example. Give priority to respect of others and their ideas. Value diversity and exemplify how it enriches us.
Reflect at a higher level Seek excellence, commitment, and final good Focus on our responsibilities, more than on our rights Be aware of the needs of others and place them before ours Serve beyond self-
Practical Applications Promote universal values and encourage students to apply them. Help students see themselves as GOOD students, citizens and future professionals. Give opportunities for reflection. How should I behave ? What is my responsibility? Share information about people who are responsible and ethical-role models. Be consistent and give fair consequences and rewards.
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