Multiple Intelligences Paper

The concept of multiple intelligences evolved in the 1980's due to the work of one man. Howard Gardener a Harvard psychologist, developed the intelligences after determining that the standard Stanford-Binet IQ tests were too narrow. However, Gardener did not just wake up one morning and randomly choose eight intelligences. In fact, Gardener did not declare his eighth intelligence until very recently. At this time he is looking into the possibility of a ninth intelligence. Gardener took much care in determining what counted as an intelligence and what did not.

In order to decide what counted as an intelligence and what did not Gardener determined a set of components that must be present in order for something to be considered an intelligence. Then he rigorously studied each intelligence looking for eight specific criterion. The criterion that Gardener used were as follows: potential isolation by brain damage; the existence of savants, prodigies, and other exceptional individuals; distinctive developmental history and a definable set of expert performances; evolutionary history and plausibility; support from psychometric findings; support from experimental psychological tasks; identifiable core operation or set of operations; and susceptiblilty to encoding in a symbol system. Once he determined the criterion, Gardener then rigorously tested each possible intelligence for all eight criteria. Gardener also developed several key points regarding the intelligences. First of all, each person possesses all intelligences. Secondly, most people can develop each intelligence to an adequate level of competency. Thirdly, intelligences usually work together in complex ways. Finally, there are many ways to be intelligent within each category.

One very important thing to remember about Gardener's eight intelligences is that they are all equally important. At different times in various cultures certain intelligences were valued more than others. In the world today, logical-mathematic intelligences are among the most highly regarded. This particular intelligence involves the capacity to use numbers effectively. Many occupations are open to individuals who have highly developed logical-mathematical abilities. Such occupations include scientists, engineers, math professors, doctors, and financial advisors. Another important intelligence in the twenty-first century is linguistic intelligence. Linguistically skilled people are able to use words effectively. Authors, politicians, advertisers, journalists, and teachers are often highly skilled in linguistics. Interpersonal intelligence; the ability to perceive and make distinctions in the moods, intentions, motivations, and feelings of other people. This is an important intelligence for most people, including teachers, counselors, therapists, actors, directors and many more. Intrapersonal intelligence not to be confused with interpersonal intelligence involves self-knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge. Artists, poets, and writers might frequently use this intelligence. Spatial intelligence includes the ability to perceive the visual world accurately. Inventors, scouts, outdoor education leaders, hunters, architects, and interior decorators utilize this intelligence. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence involves expertise in using one's whole body to express ideas and feelings. Mimes, athletes, actors, dancers, gym teachers, sculptors, surgeons, and mechanics use this skill. Musical intelligence is the capacity to perceive, discriminate, transform, and express musical forms. Musicians, artists, singers, song writers, dancers, and composers utilize this skill. Last but not least, naturalistic intelligence involves expertise in the recognition and classification of the numerous species of an individuals environment. Meteorologists, scientists, environmentalists, scouts, and outdoor education specialists frequently rely on this intelligence. Many occupations require skills which originate from more than one intelligence. For example, a math teacher must possess logical-mathematical skills, linguistic skills, spatial skills and interpersonal skills in order to effectively reach all learners in a diverse classroom.

I have come to many important conclusions regarding my own multiple intelligence levels after completing the MI inventory. I also discovered the ways in which my strengths influence my teaching styles. I scored the highest on the interpersonal intelligences and bodily-kinesthetic intelligences. I earned sevens in both of those categories. This did not surprise me because some of the other occupations I once considered were physical therapist and counselor/psychologist. Surprisingly I scored fives on both the musical intelligence and naturalistic intelligences. I was more shocked by the musical score than the naturalistic score since I enjoy spending time outdoors and working with wildlife. I do not feel like I am very musically talented at the moment, however I did play the flute for six years and was very good when I played. I tied once again with fours on the spatial and intrapersonal intelligences. I expected the intrapersonal score to be higher than it was, however I believe this intelligence has had surges and declines throughout my life. During times when I was not as busy as I am now, I used to have more time to just sit, think and write about my life. I scored particularly low on the linguistic intelligence. I anticipated a much higher score due to the fact that I am a major bookworm. Although, I love to read I will admit that I am not very good with word games. I think if I completed this section of the inventory multiple times I might have varying scores depending on my mood that day. Looking back I can see a few places I might have checked on other days. Much to my sha-grin I scored a measly one on the logical-mathematical intelligence section. Until I reached upper mathematics, I actually enjoyed math problems, however my dislike for math has grown at an astronomical rate ever since I started college.

I found the multiple intelligences inventory much more interesting than I anticipated. In regards to my future, it is good to know where my strengths and weaknesses lie. I know that I will have plenty of opportunities to work on strengthening my weaker intelligences throughout my college career. As a teacher I plan on utilizing my top intelligences, however I do not want to neglect those at which I am lacking. I will make it my goal to provide activities which touch on as many of the intelligences as possible. I would like to have my students grow in each intelligence throughout the school year into more well rounded individuals. One thing I know I will have to work with is making sure that I do not let my dislike for certain subjects affect my students. While in college I hope to learn math methods and games which I will be able to use in my classroom.

Differing teaching styles accompany varying learning styles and intelligences. I plan to have lectures, labs, group discussions, projects which allow students to express themselves and move their bodies. I plan on having a colorful classroom that will draw out excitement in regards to learning from my students. I want to provide activities which will allow students to work on varying intelligences and make them aware of their own abilities at a young age. Some students do not do well with the conventional intelligences and in my classroom I will make sure that they know they are still very smart even if they are not math geniuses. I will explain where my talents lie and ask them to show and tell about their own talents and preferred activities.

In regards to learning and assessment in my classroom, I hope to provide diverse measures of assessment in order to guarantee all students have equal chances to succeed. I will make assignments available which allow students to think creatively and use their own talents. In these assignments I will assess them based on criteria which will not be prejudiced against certain skills. The students which enter my class will be a diverse group of learners. It is my goal to be such an effective teacher that I can reach and teach all of them.