Investigating Multiple Intelligence-Based Instructions Approach on Performance Improvement of Indonesian Elementary Madrasah Teachers

This study was designed to promote teachers’ understanding of the learner-centered approach through training the multiple intelligences-based instructions, improve teachers’ performance in designing learner-oriented instruction, and improve teachers’ performance in implementing instruction. This study used proactive action research involving 126 teachers (informants) as trainees and instructional design members, came from 10 elementary Madrasah in Indonesia, 36 of them were mentored, and 192 students participated in a focus group discussion. There were 10 principals and two supervisors to be research collaborators. Teachers’ understanding and performance improvement through training multiple intelligence-based instructions, designing student-centered approach, and mentoring the implementation of student-centered learning indicated significant contribution. The teachers’ understanding of multiple intelligence-based instruction was the majority in the good category. The activity of designing the student-centered approach gave a good contribution to the capability of designing every single one of the multiple intelligences-based strategies. The mentoring system improved teachers’ performance greater than those of training and instructional design. Implementation of training, instructional design, and the mentoring system implies improving learning processes and outcomes. Strengthening the recruitment system of teachers and performance improvement, capacity building of educators to design models, approaches, strategies, methods, and learning activities, as well as establishing togetherness on all lines; government, principals, supervisors, community, and teachers as the primary element.