Intelligence is not only measurable on an IQ test and there
is more to learning than just reading and writing. Dr. Howard Gardner (Frames of Mind, 1983) of
Harvard University identified multiple intelligences which Boards of Education
have been utilizing for some time, in their curriculum.
There
is evidence that each person has their own unique style of learning. Everyone's mind operates differently with
a distinctive range of abilities. Here is a list of the nine different
modalities for learning:
1. Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence is the proficiency of
using
the entire body to express ideas and feelings and the
competence of using the body to produce or transform
things (Gardner, 1983, pp. 205-236).
2. Existential Intelligence is the appreciation of
spirituality
and understanding questions about life. This intelligence
relates to exploring human existence in the universe
(Gardner, 1999, p. 115).
3. Interpersonal Intelligence is the proficiency of an
individual in perceiving the moods, aims, motivations, and
emotions of others (Gardner, 1983, pp. 237-276).
4. Intrapersonal Intelligence is having a positive
self-concept
and life direction which is intrinsically grounded. The
competency in knowing oneself and acting to modify
oneself based on that knowledge (pp. 237-276).
5. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence involves the elevated
skill of manipulating and understanding numbers and the
ability to reason effectively (pp. 128-169).
6. Musical Intelligence is the ability to appreciate,
distinguish, compose, and perform in various musical
forms (pp. 99-127).
7. Naturalistic Intelligence is the ability to appreciate,
categorize, classify, explain, and connect to things
encountered in nature (Gardner, 1999, p. 115).
8. Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence is the ability to
understand,
use, and manipulate written or spoken words productively
(Gardner, 1983, pp. 73-98).
9. Visual/Spatial Intelligence is characterized by being
able
to see an image or situation and quickly assess areas that
could be changed to transform or improve the appearance
(Gardner, 1983,pp. 170-204).
The
theory of multiple intelligences and learning styles broadened the classroom to
include the world but the use of technology can only go so far. For example bodily/kinesthetic, musical ,naturalistic and visual/spatial intelligence
have a performance component which includes using the entire body to achieve a
full range of knowledge.
I am a
proponent of travel, hiking, camping, exploring, visiting art galleries,
attending symphonies ... in essence, living out of the box, to learn. A couple I know (both educators) took their
ten year old daughter out of school for a year to journey with them around the
world. The sum total of their shared
experiences could not have been duplicated in school, with or without the use
of computers.
The
challenge here is to identify your optimum learning style and to run with it
because only then will you reach your full potential!
my grandson, aged five, night exploring