Primary science and technology teachers? views about applicability of the multiple intelligences theory

The purpose of this study was to determine primary science and technologyteachers? views about teaching approaches based on the multiple intelligences theory.The sample of the study consisted of 279 science and technology teachers fromseveral schools. The researchers developed a survey instrument entitled ?MultipleIntelligences in Teaching Science and Technology? (MITST) for data collectionpurposes. The content validity of the instrument was approved by an expert panel.The reliability estimate of the instrument was established by a measure of theCronbach alpha (?=0.927). The instrument is composed of three sections: i) personalinformation gathering, ii) 44 Likert type propositions for gathering information aboutteachers? views on utilizing the theory of multiple intelligences in education and iii)two open ended questions for gathering additional information about teachers viewsand suggestions. The obtained data were analyzed by using descriptive and contentanalysis. The results concerning teachers? views emerging from the findings can besummarized as follows: i) for educational purposes it is advantageous to utilize amultiple intelligence based approach in science and technology education, ii) in orderto be able to implement a multiple intelligence based approach in classroomsteachers need an application based training rather than theoretical training, iii) schoolinfrastructure, weekly course hours, and equipments should be sufficient but thecurriculum intensity should be less, and iv) parents should also be informed about theapproach.