I am teaching computer to one hundred forty five junior and senior students of different sections, with ages ranging from 15 to 17 years old. Our school doesn’t have enough computers so I grouped them at random by three (of the same year level), and it resulted to five classes. We meet one hour daily, so you can imagine how difficult time management is. Majority of my students are zero knowledge in handling computer.

You may wonder why students of these ages still working on graphics program PAINT. It may not fit their ages, but they enjoy experiencing how to be “child” again and the realization after working with their drawings was a great experience. This was my first activity in my computer class because I want to “feel” my students, and it would only be realized through their artworks, their mirror image. From this point I am beginning to understand their individual differences. As an insight, I asked them to write an essay on how this drawing activity could develop their multiple intelligences.

Graphics program like Paint offers variety of experiences that can enhance their artistic creativity, widen their imaginations and develop their faculty by facilitating the technical processes related in graphic designing. The activity did not limit my students to only visual art but serve as an “opening” to further realization. Inadvertently the activity developed their other intelligences as perceived from their insights.

▣SPATIAL INTELLIGENCE : Students can create their own art works, they edit and modify their work as they explore other perspective. Computers permit visually oriented students to learn and discover their strengths as they interrelate with the technology.

“I just think, and I imagine myself as the sea with my waves kissing the shore and I take the sand with my water.”

“I discovered that I have talent in drawing and I love to develop it.”

“Day and night represent me. Day reflects my happiness and night when I experience peace.”

“ Because of technology and the influence of anime, I learn to create new and great ideas.”

“It’s not the beauty that matters, but the feeling you’ve got while doing your drawing, and my work of art can “speak” of it.”

▣KINESTHETIC INTELLIGENCE : This activity fortifies learning and makes the student an active giver in the learning process. It involved decision-making and hand-eye coordination.

“ I found out that there should be harmony, coordination with my hand and eyes to produce a nice and presentable output.”

“ I am temperamental and impatient person. I need to control my feelings because it affects my hand movement.”

“ I imagine the mouse as my hand, my hand as a pencil that already have colors and can draw lines and curves accurately.”

“ When I give effort and concentration on what I’m doing, I can manipulate my drawing using my mouse.”

“ I developed coordination of my mind and hand perfectly.”

“ My mind works clearly, my hand moves freely and my eyes move fast.”

“ Presence of mind makes you control your hand easily.”

▣INTRAPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE : This artwork through the use of technology open up and open out the human mind to have access to different ideas. This gives opportunity for students to make options, manage and organize their own learning and intellectual development.

“ My work is the reflection of what personality I have.”

“My drawing gives me self-awareness and peace of mind. I got confused after the death of my father and while drawing I realize how beautiful the world is and I got to keep my life going.”

“First, my world revolves on network games. While doing the activity I feel pleased and satisfied. I realized that being addicted to computer games is just a waste of money and time.”

“ I relate my drawing to a quiet night because I want to be alone and contemplate on my problems.”

“ It’s cool and enjoyable to discover my hidden talent… and I don’t want to hide it anymore.”

“ I can relate to what I’m drawing, I can feel that I’m a part of it.”

“I realized that I should be true to myself, express my true feeling and speak of my mind and my heart.”

“I developed self confidence. I can do everything if I would just believe in myself - that I can do it.”

“It’s not important how good and beautiful your drawing is, but how you love doing it – the satisfaction you feel deep inside.”

“Like dragging a mouse, we must know how to control oneself to create good image.”

▣INTERPERSONAL INTELLIGENCE : Research reveals that when students use computers in pairs or small groups, understanding and learning are facilitated and accelerated. Positive learning experiences is expected as students share discoveries and cooperate in working on projects.

“ I learned the importance of giving and sharing.”

“ I’m inspired with what I’m doing because my group mate is my crush.”

“I learned to use my time wisely because we are three in a group.”

“ I learned to enter the “world” of others. It’s now easy for me to adjust with my friends.”

“Sharing your artwork is fun. It’s nice to know that somebody appreciate your work no matter how bad it looks.”

“ No man is an island. We need others to improve and develop ourselves.”

“ I can now “open” myself with others. I learned the value of trusting others.”

“ I love working with others. Share my best and learn more from them.”

▣NATURALISTIC INTELLIGENCE : Students understand the world beyond their environments, and help them perceive how their doings affect their world.

“Each of us needs a clean and beautiful environment.”

“Love of nature only shows our love to God’s creation.”

“I love green and blue because they are the color of nature.”

“We must protect and preserve nature so that it will stay beautiful like my drawing.”

“ Through technology I can save the beautiful picture of nature in my diskette, hope others can save and preserve the beauty of nature in reality.”

“ It makes science topics seem real.”

Ninety five percent of my students love nature and it was revealed from their drawings. At their young and tender age, with life full of zest and passion, where everything comes and goes effortlessly, it was a revelation. I was amazed to discover that they want to be a part of nature, that they dream of going “somewhere” where they can have peace of mind. They merge the use of technology and their real life experiences to strengthen learning and love of environment.

▶LUCIA D. HERRERA, E-mail : luchie121354@yahoo.com(Filipino)