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Danika Heister
Ryan Hicks
EDU 201
March 24, 2015
Meaningful Education
Education means something different to everyone. Education can be something that is or
was unwanted, it can also be something that turns into ones whole life. In the dictionary
education has many different definitions. Anywhere from, the process of receiving or giving
systematic instruction, especially at a school or university, to an enlightening experience.
Education is built on a perspective. Meaningful education means structure, participation, and the
use of Gardners Multiple Intelligences.
In my opinion one important aspect of a meaningful education is the institution having
structure within the curriculum, and discipline. Structure based on what is being taught to the
students and to the teachers is volatile. This structure is especially essential in early education.
The institution having more personalized standards for curriculum and content would be ideal.
Each student is different and should be allowed to have different goals and excellence without
being swept up with other students that understood. Structure should be present within the
disciplinary guide lines of the school. Meaning, different punishments for each student rather
than detention, staying in at recess, or losing their lunch-time. Instead of taking this valuable
time to release all of their built up energy they would react better with more progressive ways of
punishment. Such as, losing an apple off of their tree of excellence if they act out in class as an
example. These types of punishments would make doings things wrong more of let down, and

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more positive feedback. One cannot have structure in order to have a meaningful education
without participation from everyone involved in the childs education.
Participation in education is a very significant in making it meaningful. Participation is
required from the teacher, and the student especially. Regardless, this nation is lacking parent
involvement in their students education. The more parents are involved can determine how
meaningful education is to their child. One way parents can be more involved is attending district
board meetings and being a part of the PTA program at their childs school. Other participation is
needed within the classroom as well. If a child needs more personalized attention than others I
feel that it is the teachers responsibility to inform the parents and help as much as possible to
their abilities. The teachers responsibility is to recognize that Gardners Theory of Multiple
Intelligences reflects on every student. Without the participation of the teacher, student, and
parents this could be dissipated and the goal for a meaningful education is defeated.
Gardners Theory of Multiple Intelligences is very useful to many aspects to everyday
life. This theory helped people better understand how a child learns. This theory is exceptionally
helpful in teaching at the primary level. Young learners need every intelligence to better retain
the subject matter at hand. Visual, Verbal, Logical, Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal,
Naturalistic, Existential; all of these contribute to how a child learns. The more modalities one
has in a lesson the better the child will comprehend the content, making for a more meaningful
education.
The key aspects to a meaningful education are structure, participation, and the use of
Gardners Multiple Intelligences. Structure is an important aspect because without structure in a
schools curriculum or content the students wouldnt be getting the meaning of education and
how important it is. Participation is an important aspect to a meaningful education because

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without the participation of the parents and teachers the student would not understand how
influential their participation to their education. Gardners Multiple Intelligences is an important
aspect to a meaningful education because without this theory teachers would assume every child
learns the same. Keep an open mind; what a meaningful education means to you does not mean
that someone else feels the same.