Multiple Intelligences

The concept of Multiple Intelligences is a very modern look at what constitutes the mind of a human being. This theory is applied to both psychological and educational spheres, and has been widely disputed by many scholars and critics. Howard Gardner, the man who formulated this theory, espouses that there are seven different types of "intelligences", each relating to a different sphere of human activity in a culture and/or society. The theory also states that educators can reach their students only by adapting their teaching program to utilize each and every intelligence that the target audience has. These intelligences include verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, body-kinesthetic, auditory-musical, interpersonal communication, and intrapersonal education. I learned that intelligence is not measured only by mental capacity, but by many other factors as well.

I feel that Gardner has made a valid point in his argument in saying that no one factor determines how "intelligent" a person is. However, as much has I feel that Gardner has a valid theory, I feel that he is not expanding the definition of intelligence. His theory, in my opinion, would apply more to what people call "ability". The definition of intelligence has always been connoted to the kind of thinking skills necessary to make one successful in studies.

However, this theory is mainly pressed towards how educators should modify their pedagogy to better teach children. Traditional schools have almost exclusively emphasized the development of logical and linguistic intelligences. This theory affects all educators and students such as me because now the focus is broadening towards other ends of the spectrum. Although many would see the theory as common sense (different students learn in different ways), it is not implemented as much as one would hope it would. However, more and more campuses across the country are striving to provide opportunities for their students to use and develop all the different intelligences. I have noticed this more and more as I progressed through the school system, probably due to the modernizing and modification of curriculum based on theories such as Gardner's.