Multiple intelligence - Essay Example

MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE Summary In his paper en d 'Multiple Intelligence'; the Thomas Titus discusses Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence and its positive impact on the teaching process. Enumerating the eight different types of intelligence, namely, linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, kinesthetic, musical, naturalist, interpersonal and intrapersonal, the author then goes on to discuss each type of intelligence separately, dwelling upon the special skills and abilities each type of intelligence generates. For example, linguistic intelligence is primarily the ability to read, write, and speak effectively, which is of prime importance in career fields such as teaching, journalism and psychology. Similarly, each type of intelligence is the fountainhead of certain specific skills and abilities, which point towards definite career options. The author then goes on to illustrate how the Multiple Intelligence theory can be used in the teaching-learning process and proceeds to highlight the benefits of the use of Multiple Intelligence teaching practices in helping to make students meaningful learners. The Multiple Intelligence theory pre-supposes that each child has his or her own strengths and his or her own way of learning. This makes the Multiple Intelligence theory better suited to individual needs upon implementation. Accordingly, a child with superior kinesthetic intelligence must be taught with more hands-on activities, while a child with better spatial intelligence will learn faster and better with maps, diagrams and other visual inputs. He cites the example of the New City School in St Louis that has applied this theory successfully. The school keeps Multiple Intelligence in mind while developing its curriculum, during classroom instruction and finally at the time of assessment. It has been found that these students average good scores in subsequent standardized tests. The author then gives us a brief glimpse of how he plans to implement the Multiple Intelligence theory in agricultural education. Agricultural education being multifaceted, the possibilities are endless. The author would like to instruct his students through presentations, speech contests, quiz bowls and the like. Lastly, the author discusses the limitations of this theory and also touches briefly on the implementation problems that the theory might pose for educators. Critique The theory of Multiple Intelligence presents interesting possibilities in classroom application. In fact, it "opens up eight different potential pathways to learning" (Armstrong T). It suggests that teachers present their lessons in a wide variety of ways using music, cooperative learning, art activities, field trips, role play, pictures, multimedia etc. This will help teachers to reach out to students who have different types of intelligence to go beyond conventional linguistic and logical methods and choose the learning tool they want. Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence helps teachers, school administrators and parents' to understand the learners better. However, only the very conscientious of teachers will be able to apply it on a regular basis. A teacher will have to be truly and deeply interested in children to understand how their minds are different from one another's. Anne Guignon, in her article on Multiple Intelligence, refers to Linda Campbell, who has outlined five ways in which the Multiple Intelligence theory can be implemented. These are: - Lesson design. In this the teacher may even focus on his or her own intelligence strengths. Interdisciplinary units. Here two or more units may be combined. Student projects. Students can initiate and execute their own projects depending upon their individual abilities. Assessments. Assessments ca be devised to test Multiple Intelligence. Students can be allowed to devise the way they want to be assessed. Apprenticeships. Apprenticeships will enable students to work with their specific abilities. One cannot discount the use of technology in the classroom, as one of the best ways of appealing to the Multiple Intelligence of students. It is universally agreed upon that "some students are 'active learners' while others are 'effective listeners' [and that] graphics recognize the various learning styles of students" (Kettelkamp T). A graphic presentation not only holds the attention of the student but also helps them to understand concepts better. Similarly, website development is also a powerful tool and will appeal to students possessing logical-mathematical as well as superior spatial intelligence. Many years down the line, Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligence is still a topic of debate. There are several justifiable arguments for and against the theory. Gardner first put forward this theory in 1983. According to an a report in the Washington Post, the theory "arrived just as American educators were being pummeled in national reports for failing to teach reading, writing, and mathematics adequately. SAT scores were dropping, and traditional educational theorists were arguing for longer school days, more homework and more testing". In this dismal scenario Gardner's theory appealed to everyone. However, as quoted in the Washington Post report, Gardner had himself stated in a letter to the Wilson Quarterly that the Multiple Intelligence theory, "was developed as a theory of the mind, not as an educational intervention". Nevertheless, the supporters of the theory say that it is too beneficial not to be put to use. It helps teachers to understand students who do not fit a mould. It questions the practice of basing university admissions on ACT and SAT scores as these test only the linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence of the children. The theory recognizes that there are many types of intelligence other than the academic variety, thereby giving every child a chance to be a smart child with adequate self-esteem. An application of the Multiple Intelligence theory helps children to become meaningful learners and not simply rote learners. Schools implement the Multiple Intelligence theory to nurture differences and turn out distinct individuals and not just hordes of similar thinking and sounding people. The detractors of the theory have accused Gardner of, "encouraging elementary school teaching methods, the success of which is not sufficiently recorded" (Washington Post). Daniel T. Willingdon, professor of psychology, University of Virginia as quoted in the Washington Post, has said that Gardner has given an, " inaccurate description of the mind". Intelligence is inherited. It is also an inter related whole and cannot be compartmentalized. A child smart in one is smart in all. An education based on Multiple Intelligence is likely to be a biased one and instrumental in creating knowledge gaps. Given that children have Multiple Intelligence and its ensuing abilities, why should a child with linguistic abilities be taught mathematics On the other hand, an education that does not feature the rudiments of mathematics would be quite unacceptable. Apart from the above, the theory evinces implementation difficulties. By denying these, we may lose precious instructional time. What should be the criteria for grouping students in a classroom If individual differences are to be kept in mind, homogenous classrooms may not be possible. Also, teachers will need to be re-trained to implement this. Whatever the limitations of this theory, it has challenged the conventional belief that intelligence is doing well in multiple choice tests. REFERENCES Armstrong, Thomas, "Multiple Intelligence". http://thomasarmstrong.com/multiple-intelligences.hm Guignon, Anne, "Multiple Intelligences: A Theory for Everyone". http://www.educationworld.com/a-curr054.shtml Kettelkamp, Thomas, "Use of Techno;ogy in Recreation Education". http://campus.houghon.edu/webs/employees/tkettekkamp/Writings/tech-use-class.htm Washington Post, "21 years Later, "Multiple Intelligences' Still Debated". http://www.wasingonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A1337-2004Sep6.htmlnav=hcmodule Read More