In customary intelligence theories when one is asked the question What makes a person intelligent? the most coarse responses will often note a persons potential to solve problems, utilize logic, and think critically. These typical traits of intelligence are sometimes grouped together under the heading raw intelligence. A persons intelligence, traditionally speaking, is contained in their intellect. In other words, how we each understand, evaluate or riposte to external stimuli, regardless as to whether it is a mathematical problem or anticipation of an opponents next move in a game, is our collective intelligence. Our intelligence therefore, is our individual, collective potential to act or react in a continually changing environment.
The significant problem in customary intelligence theories is that they promote fractured learning. Many educational reformers have clearly stated that taking tests merely shows that a learner is skilled at taking tests. At best, customary tests focus on only about one tenth of an individuals intellect. Note that Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison, two of historys most supreme examples of fantastic minds, were terrible at taking customary tests, therefore terrible at school in general. Multiple Intelligences theory then, demonstrates that the potential to take customary tests is roughly entirely in the realm of the Logical Mathematical
intelligence. This intelligence will be detailed later along with the Interpersonal intelligence, which imparts in some students the potential to second guess a teachers structuring of a test. customary Iq tests predict school execution with significant accuracy, but they are only an indifferent predictor of execution in a profession after formal schooling.
In an inviting but controversial study conducted while the 1960s by Biologist Marion Diamond, of the University of California at Berkeley, two sets of rats were raised in distinct environments; One set had toys to play with, playmates to romp with and a roomy box that was kept clean and fresh. The second set was put in solitary confinement; all alone in a much smaller cage with no toys to enjoy. After any weeks, solitaire measured the size of each rats cerebral cortex, the brain area which is responsible for higher nerve functions. The rats in the sociable, clean and stimulating environment grew brains bigger than the rats with the impoverished surroundings. Does the enriched environment increase the dimensions of the brain, and does the impoverished environment decrease the dimensions of the brain?, asked Diamond. The answer, very clearly, is Yes. Similar results were replicated with cats, monkeys and later with humans. So a stimulating, enriched learning environment is crucial to reasoning development. If we likewise join the varying learner intelligences in our teaching activities, our success as well as our students success, will be markedly improved. That each of us possess all the intelligences, that they can each be industrialized further, that these Multiple intelligences work together in a complex manner, and that there are, in fact, many distinct ways to be intelligent are inclusive in a study by Armstrong. Here briefly, in retrospect, are eight of the major intelligences of Howard Gardeners theory and their relative traits:
Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence:
The capacity to use words effectively, whether orally or in writing. It is very industrialized in story-tellers, orators, politicians, poets, playwrights, editors, language teachers and journalists. Students with a high degree of this intelligence think in words; learn by listening, reading, and verbalizing. They enjoy writing, like books, records, and tapes, and have a good memory for verse, lyrics, or trivia. Getting into discussions, telling jokes and debating are also characteristics of this intelligence. Maya Angelou is strong in this intelligence.
Visual-Spatial Intelligence:
The potential to perceive the world accurately and to accomplish transformations upon one's perceptions. This is very industrialized in guides, interior designers, architects, artists, fashion designers and inventors. Students with a high degree of spatial intelligence think in images and pictures, like mazes and jigsaw puzzles. They like to draw and construct things, and enjoy films, slides, videos, diagrams, maps, charts. The daydreamers and those who may have strong opinions about such things as colors that go together, textures that are acceptable and pleasing and decorating are included in this intelligence. Pablo Picasso was strong in this intelligence.
Musical Rhythmic Intelligence: The capacity to perceive, discriminate, transform, and express musical forms is most very industrialized in musical performers, music aficionados, and music critics. Students with a high degree of musical intelligence learn through rhythm and melody, play a musical instrument, or May need music to study. They observation nonverbal sounds in the environment: the chirp of a cricket, rain on the roof, varying traffic patterns, and regularly learn things more unquestionably if sung, tapped out, or whistled. These citizen love music and rhythmic patterns and can often reproduce a melody or rhythmic pattern after hearing it only once. Varied sounds, tones, and rhythms may have a illustrated succeed on them (that is, you can see a turn in facial expressions, body movement, or emotional responses). They enjoy singing and listening to a wide range of music, and are often quite skilled at mimicking sounds, language accents, and others speech patterns, and recognizing distinct musical instruments in a composition. Paul McCartney is strong in this intelligence.
Logical-Mathematical Intelligence:
The capacity to use numbers effectively and to surmise well. This intelligence is very industrialized in mathematicians, tax accountants, statisticians, scientists, computer programmers, and logicians. Students with a high degree of this intelligence often surmise things out logically and clearly; look for abstract patterns and relationships; frequently like brain teasers, logical puzzles, and strategy games. They also like to use computers and to classify and categorize. These citizen think conceptually and abstractly and are able to see patterns and relationships that others often miss. They like to experiment, solve puzzles and other problems, ask cosmic questions and think. They love the challenge of complex problems to solve and all the time have a logical rationale or discussion for what they are doing or thinking. Albert Einstein was strong in this intelligence.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Consists of expertise in using ones whole body to express ideas and feelings, and premise in using ones hands to produce or transform things. A very industrialized intelligence in actors, mimes, athletes, dancers, sculptors, mechanics, and surgeons. Students with a high degree of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence process knowledge through physical sensations; move, twitch, tap, or fidget while sitting in a chair or at a desk and learn by touching, manipulating, and moving. They typically like role playing and creative movement and commonly like physical games of all kinds and demonstrating how to do something. They recite well through body language and other physical gestures. They can often accomplish a task only after looking person else do it. They find it difficult to sit still for a long time and are unquestionably bored if they are not actively complex in what is going on around them. Michael Jordan is strong in this intelligence.
Interpersonal Intelligence:
The potential to perceive and make distinctions in the moods, intentions, motivations, and feelings of other people. This intelligence can consist of sensitivity to facial expressions, voice, and gestures, as well as the potential to riposte effectively to such cues. Students with a high degree of interpersonal intelligence understand and care about people; like to socialize; learn more unquestionably by relating and cooperating and are good at teaching other students. These citizen learn through person-to-person interaction. They commonly have lots of friends; show a great deal of empathy for other citizen and comprehension of distinct points of view. They are skilled at drawing others out in a discussion, disagreement resolution and mediation when citizen are in radical
opposition to each other. Mother Teresa and Mahatma Ghandi were strong in this intelligence.
Intra-personal Intelligence:
Self-knowledge and the potential to act adaptively on the basis of that knowledge define this group. This is an intelligence which can consist of having an correct photograph of ones strengths and limitations, awareness of ones moods and motivations, and the capacity for self-discipline. Students with a high degree of this intelligence seem to be self-motivating; need their own quiet space; may march to the beat of a distinct drummer and tend to learn more unquestionably with independent study, self-paced instruction, individualized projects and games.
These citizen like to work alone and sometimes shy away from others. They are self-reflective and self-aware and thus tend to be in tune with their inner feelings, values, beliefs, and reasoning processes. They are often bearers of creative wisdom and insight, are very intuitive, and are inwardly motivated rather than needing external rewards to keep them going. They are often strong-willed, self-confident, and definite, well-thought-out opinions on roughly any issue (although they are sometimes off-the-wall). Other citizen will often come to them for advice and counsel, but others will sometimes view them as distant or weird. Emily Dickinson and Stephen King are examples of this intelligence.
Naturalist Intelligence:
Environmental knowledge and the potential to identify and categorize plants, animals and nature on the basis of that knowledge. The Naturalist intelligence can consist of having an correct photograph of the ambient environment, awareness of the interrelationship of natural elements, and the capacity for self-analysis of these elements. It is found most very industrialized in archeologists, animal handlers, animal trainers, veterinarians, biologists, racehorse jockeys, zoologists, environmentalists, wilderness guides and naturalists. Students who have a high degree of the naturalist intelligence seem to be nature-oriented, seek to be outdoors or in the elements and learn more unquestionably with nature-related study and environmental projects and activities. They like to derive items from nature, study them, and group them. They tend to be aware of subtleties in appearance, texture, and sounds that those weaker in this intelligence may not grasp. Charles Darwin, Jacques Cousteau, and John James Audubon were strong in this intelligence.
One of the great promises of Multiple Intelligences theory in education is that it will help us to find private pathways into and out of our students minds. Up-to-date advances in educational psychology and research in applied Mi theory offer educators a real possibility of developing the inherent of all students. Both educators and students should derive from Gardners Multiple intelligence theory that all citizen are distinct and learn differently, and that we should respect, value, and raise that diversity.
Reference Websites:
Reference website for Multiple intelligences links and activities:
[http://surfaquarium.com/im.htm]
Exploring Multiple Intelligences: New Dimensions of Learning
[http://www.multi-intell.com/]
Multiple Intelligences Resources
http://www.theatreinmotion.com/resources.htm
Basic Mi Theory
http://edweb.gsn.org/edref.mi.th.html
Multiple intelligence Theory: Principles
http://www.harding.edu/~cbr/midemo/prin.html
Multiple Intelligences: theory and custom in the K-12 Class
[http://www.indiana.edu/~eric_rec/ieo/bibs/multiple.html]
Task Card Overview/Multiple Intelligences
[http://www.metronet.com/~bhorizon/teach.htm]
Association for the Promotion and Advancement of Science education activities website - http://discoverlearning.com/forensic/docs/index.html
Naturalist intelligence Sea World / Busch Gardens website for students
http://www.seaworld.org/animal_bytes/animal_bytes.html