Howard Gardner:

1. Howard Gardner: Theory of Multiple Intelligences “there exists a multitude of intelligences, quite independent of each other; that each intelligence has its own strengths and constraints; that the mind is far from unencumbered at birth” Prepared by Dawn Woods

2. Q: What is Intelligence? A:Intelligence is the capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc. Yea….but how do we measure intelligence?

3. Society used to measure intelligence by using an IQ test. The IQ tests were biased and very subjective Howard Gardner devised a more detailed way of describing intelligences: he proposed the idea of multiple intelligences.

4. Gardner proposed: All human beings possess all nine intelligences in varying amounts Each person has a different intellectual composition We can improve education by addressing these areas Intelligences are located in different areas of the brain and can be combined or used independently These intelligences are what defines the human species

6. Musical “Music Smart” Naturalist “Nature Smart” Logical/math “Logic Smart” Verbal/linguist “Word Smart” Interpersonal “People Smart” Bodily/kinesthetic “Body Smart” Visual/spatial “Picture Smart” Existential “Deep Question Smart” Intrapersonal “Self Smart”

7. Gardner’s theories help us draw these conclusions: It is wrong to think of students as either smart or not smart Each student has their mix of intelligences; teachers should watch for these areas and encourage them. Lessons should incorporate a variety of modalities to incorporate various learning strengths These intelligences are what defines the human species

8. Using Multiple Intelligence theory in practice: Logical/math “Logic Smart” Use numbers, logic and math in a variety of settings Grow up to be engineers, scientists, etc. Naturalist “Nature Smart” Allow for plenty of science and outdoor exploration Grow up to be biologist, naturalists, animal trainers etc.

9. Using Multiple Intelligence theory in practice: Verbal/linguist “Word Smart” Offer plenty of word activities, reading and opportunities to play with words Grow up to be writers, poets, script writers, etc. Existential “Deep Question Smart” Give time to think, puzzle through Grow up to be inventors, sociologists, etc.

10. Using Multiple Intelligence theory in practice: Interpersonal “People Smart” Use cooperative learning frequently Grow up to be therapists, politicians, teachers, etc Musical “Music Smart” Incorporate music into lessons Grow up to be musicians, disc jockeys, etc.

11. Using Multiple Intelligence theory in practice: Visual/spatial “Picture Smart” Include art as much as possible, use puzzles too! Grow up to be artists, interior designers, architects Bodily/kinesthetic “Body Smart” Allow students time to be physical, use their bodies Grow up to be athletes, dancers, actors, etc Intrapersonal “Self Smart” Help students understand their own learning Grow up to be salesmen, politicians, etc.

12. ... the theory validates educators' everyday experience: students think and learn in many different ways. It also provides educators with a conceptual framework for organizing and reflecting on curriculum assessment and pedagogical practices. In turn, this reflection has led many educators to develop new approaches that might better meet the needs of the range of learners in their classrooms. Mindy L. Kornhaber

13. Source Material: • You Tube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2QtSbP4FRg • Wikipedia: Howard Gardner http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Gardner Infed Website: http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm TecWeb Website: http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html Educational World: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr054.shtml