Multiple Intelligences

                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