Multimedia, Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences and Cooperative learning

Every good teacher wants to find better ways to motivate students and inspire quality learning in the classroom. If teachers accept Dr. Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, then they accept that all people are different and that educators should respect, value and nurture that diversity. Yet one does not need scientific research to validate what teachers have known for centuries--regardless of age, gender, race, or socio-economic background, students like to have choices. They like freedom. They like feeling that they are smart.  Plato put it memorably: "The purpose of education is to make the individual want to do what he has to do. Students enjoy tasks in which they can predict success.  Since understanding how students learn is the crucial step in a providing a quality education, offering them different opportunities to draw upon their multiple intelligences strengths is an excellent way to ensure quality learning.nowing that the brain behaves very much like a computer, where data is constantly entered, stored, linked and retrieved, it only makes sense to integrate computer software and applications to pique students' intelligences and learning behaviors.  Current research suggests that the brains of today's students are perfectly 'wired' to navigate through multimedia applications.  Studies further suggest that students learn better when engaged in lessons involving well-developed multimedia resources.  These resources, such as Treasure Hunts, Subject Samplers, WebQuests, or Virtual Field Trips are relatively easy to create and/or are readily available online for the educator.  In addition to biology, there are a multitude of applications across the curriculum that need to be incorporated in the classroom.  The use of such learning opportunities would certainly empower students and give them the chance to develop the self-confidence, knowledge and skills necessary to survive in this Information Age and inspire them to become life-long learners.The classroom often offers a student's first experiences practicing most life skills. Teachers should deliberately create opportunities for students to cooperate with each other, share responsibilities, solve problems, and control conflict.