Learner-centredness: A multiple intelligence approach to reveal individual learner preferences for curriculum content in Foundation Phase

Abstract

Gardner's concept of multiple intelligences can directly link with the subjects or the curriculum taught in school. The focus in this paper is on Foundation Phase learners and their personal favourite subjects. In allowing learners to choose what they find the most interesting, the most popular subject is identified and new perspectives are provided on which areas should receive attention. The method involved is a quantitative approach incorporating statistics obtained through a Likert scale. 105 participants were involved and interesting views surfaced. Literacy (in terms of reading and writing) is no longer at the top of the list of most popular subjects, and this is a concern for teachers who aim at teaching learners to read and write - Art was found to be the most popular subject. Fusing Art and other forms of intelligences can be employed as a strategy to teach literacy and popularise it.