Hi fellows, I would to begin today's post with this quote: "Being an intelligent creates a lot of questions and no answers". (Janis Joplin)
This quote is pretty related for today's topic because I'm going to talk about Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences.
Who is Howard Gardner?
Howard Gardner, Ph.D. is a professor at Harvard University and the author of many books and articles. His theory of multiple intelligences has challenged long-held assumptions about intelligence, especially about a single measure of intelligence. Dr. Gardner also co-directs Harvard's Project Zero.
I think, you could be asking yourself: What is he talking about? or some of you could be intrigued about which of them you could have.... Just let me tell you that at the very beginning I was like you, but don't worry I'm going to explain to you what's about every single intelligence.
Being intelligent does not always mean that someone tests well, a problem with teachers and school administrators have struggled since the earliest days of organized education. Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences helps educators think differently about "IQ", and about what being "smart" means. The theory is changing the way some teachers teach.
Here they are! The original seven intelligences!
1. Linguistic Intelligence: A sensitive to the meaning and order of words.
2. Logical-mathematical Intelligence: Ability in mathematics and other complex logical systems.
3. Musical Intelligence: The ability to understand and create music. Musicians, composers and dancers show a heightened musical intelligence.
4. Spatial Intelligence: The ability to "think in pictures", to perceive the visual world accurately, and recreate (or alter) it in the mind or on paper. Spatial intelligence is highly developed in artists, architects, designers and sculptors.
5. Bodily-kinesthetic Intelligence: The ability to use one's body in a skilled way, for self-expression or toward a goal. Mimes, dancers, basketball players, and actors are among those who display bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence: An ability to perceive and understand other individuals - their moods, desires, and motivations. Political and religious leaders, skilled parents and teachers, and therapists use this intelligence.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence: An understanding of one's own emotions. Some novelists and or counselors use their own experience to guide others.
For some of you all of them could be interesting or maybe you already know about them but for some others don't.
Maybe you are thinking... Oh! I have some of them! I already identified them!, but believe it or not every single person has all the MI!. The thing is that not everybody has developed them %100. So, now you know that and try to improve them.
But this haven't finished! Howard Gardner talks about an eighth intelligence.
Gardner discussed the "eighth intelligence" with Kathy Checkley, in an interview for Educational Leadership.
8. The Naturalist Intelligence: It refers to the ability to recognize and classify plants, minerals, and animals, including rocks and grass and all the variety of flora and fauna.
The ability to recognize cultural artifacts like cars or sneakers may also depend on the naturalist intelligence.
Implementing Gardner's theory in the classroom.
When asked how educators should implement the theory of multiple intelligences, Gardner says: "It's very important that a teacher take individual differences among kids very seriously. The bottom line is a deep interest in children and how their minds are different from one another, and in helping them use their minds well."
Lesson desing: Some schools focus on lesson design. This might involve team teaching (teachers focusing in their own intelligence strengths), using all or several of the intelligences in their lesson, or asking student opinions about the best way to teach and learn certain topics.
Interdisciplinary units: Secondary schools often include interdisciplinary units.
Students projects: Students can learn to "initiate and manage complex projects" when they are creating student projects.
Assessments: are devised which allow students to show what they have learned.
Apprenticeships: can allow students to "gain mastery of a valued skill gradually, with effort and discipline over time."
It has been all for today and I hope you liked it!
Blessings and thanks for taking the time for reading my articles!
