"Everyone is Unique". We believe that each individual is unique and has their strengths and weaknesses. This statement makes me reflect on Howard Gardner's Multiple intelligences theory.
Who is Howard Gardner?
Howard Gardner is a developmental psychologist best-known for the theory of "Multiple Intelligences". Howard Gardner was born in Pennsylvania on July 11, 1943, and completed his Ph.D. at Harvard in 1971. He was inspired by Jean Piaget to study developmental psychology when he was studied at Harvard. He explained, "My mind was opened when I went to Harvard College and had the opportunity to study under individuals" (Cherry, Kendra, 2020). Gardner believed that a person might be strong in a specific area.
What is the Multiple Intelligences Theory?
Gardner developed the multiple intelligences theory in 1983. He said that most schools and cultures focus their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence only, however, we also should place equal attention on individuals who also shows other intelligence, like artist, painter, naturalist, dancers, architect, entrepreneur, and athlete who live around us give big impact to our life.
Gardner identified nine types of multiple intelligences and the possibility to expand the list.
- Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence; Ability to think in words and use these words to make people understand. People with this intelligence use language to express and appreciate complex meaning. They also have well-developed verbal skills and sensitivity to words.
- Logical-Mathematical Intelligence; Ability to calculate, quantify, think conceptually and abstractly and carry out mathematical operations. People with this intelligence are excellent at mathematics and working with numbers.
- Musical Intelligence; Ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, timbre, and tone. This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce and reflect on music. People with music intelligence are generally more sensitive to sound and able to play musical instruments.
- Visual-Spatial Intelligence; Ability to think in images and pictures and able to visualize accurately and abstractly. People with this intelligence are generally creative and usually have interesting imaginations, high artistic abilities, and excellent spatial reasoning.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence; Ability to control body movements and the capacity to manipulate objects by physical skills. People with this intelligence have an excellent sense of timing and great body coordination as well as gross motor skills.
- Interpersonal Intelligence; Ability to understand and interact effectively with others. It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, ability to respond appropriately to others.
- Intrapersonal Intelligence; Ability to understand oneself, one's thoughts, feelings, beliefs, values, and thinking process. Intrapersonal intelligence is not only an appreciation of self but also of the human condition.
- Naturalist Intelligence; Ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals, and other subjects in nature. Naturalistic intelligence describes people who are very sensitive to the natural world and sensitive to make changes in nature and the environment.
- Existential Intelligence; Ability to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why people die, and why we are alive.
Gardner's multiple intelligence theory doesn't limit human intelligence to a single numerical number created by an algorithm. “If we are to encompass adequately the realm of human cognition, it is necessary to include a far wider and more universal set of competencies than we have ordinarily considered” (Phillips, H,2010).
How to Apply Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom?
Gardner claimed that no matter what subject you teach, like; arts, science, maths, or history, you should deliver the learning in a variety of ways. As a teacher, we can use Gardner's multiple intelligences in the classroom by using our observations in the class and relating them to the educational theory, not the scientific fact.
This theory reminds us that students have different strengths and the potential for academic achievements in different ways. We believe that one child might be excellent in one intelligence and struggling with the other.
