Graduate education student presents research at Student Symposium

Sonya Smith, a graduate student in the Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) program, recently presented research at the Student Symposium held last April.

In a project titled “Grammar is Fun: The Effect of Multiple Intelligence Theory Based Activities on Student Motivation and Engagement,” Smith explored educational theorist Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory that challenges traditional understandings of intelligence. She wove Gardner’s work together with literature addressing the relationships among student motivation and engagement, differentiated instruction, and serving students with learning difficulties.

Through classroom activities, student surveys and interviews, and teacher journaling and observations, Smith’s findings revealed interesting student preferences regarding classroom instruction and highlighted the thoughtful manner in which students are able to analyze and reflect upon their own learning.

Smith was the only SPCS student who participated in the Student Symposium. Her paper can now be found in the Scholarship Repository.