Howard Gardner and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences Chris Logue EDAE 668

Who is Howard Gardner? Born in on July 11, 1943. Howard Gardner describes himself as psychologist/scholar who wanted to look beyond the mind and memory, but rather to explore cognition at it’s highest. Looking at the human potential for artistry, leadership and creativity. Influenced as a scholar by Jean Piaget and as a psychologist by Erick Erickson.

Other influences Gardner writes that he felt the studies and writings of Lev Vygotsky, John Dewey and Jerome Bruner underestimated the power of cultural and early experiences in childhood. Gardner feels that human psychology is not always logical and that the human brain often uses non-logical ways to make sense of experiences.

The progression of his work… How minds develop How minds break down How minds are organized How to change minds in general How to change minds in ways that are productive for the society and the planet

Project Zero Gardner’s work in the 1970’s at the Boston Veterans Administration Medical Center and the Boston University School of Medicine included conducting research on the cognitive effects of brain injury. Influenced by the work of Norman Geschwind and his study of neurology.

What is multiple intelligences theory? It began as a psychological theory in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s Using what we knew about the brain and genetics at that time. Based on the idea that humans have a number of relatively discrete intellectual capacities. Embraced by educators then and now. Using the idea of individuation and pluralization.

Intelligence defined… According to Gardner, intelligences are a property of all human beings. Gardner defines intelligence as “ a set of human computational capacities. Humans have the ability to “compute” things such as language, number, social relations, spatial relations. We cannot directly see intelligences. We observe them at work by observing individuals carrying out various kinds of behaviors and tasks.”

What are the multiple intelligences? Visual - Spatial Verbal - Linguistic Bodily-Kinesthetic Musical Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist Existential Pedagogical

Visual - Spatial Visual - Spatial: Involves visual perception of the environment, the ability to create and manipulate mental images, and the orientation of the body in space.

Verbal - Linguistic Verbal - Linguistic: Involves reading, writing, speaking, and conversing in one's own or foreign languages.

Bodily - Kinesthetic Bodily - Kinesthetic intelligence: Involves physical coordination and dexterity, using fine and gross motor skills, and expressing oneself or learning through physical activities.

Musical Musical intelligence: Involves understanding and expressing oneself through music and rhythmic movements or dance, or composing, playing, or conducting music.

Interpersonal Interpersonal (social) intelligence: Involves understanding how to communicate with and understand other people and how to work collaboratively.

Intrapersonal Intrapersonal intelligence - understanding of self: Involves understanding one's inner world of emotions and thoughts, and growing in the ability to control them and work with them consciously.

Naturalist Naturalist intelligence: Involves the capacity to make consequential distinctions in the world of nature.

Existential Existential intelligence: Involves the intelligence of “big questions”.

Pedagogical Pedagogical intelligence: Involves the intelligence that allows humans to convey knowledge or skills to others.

Frames of Mind Gardner’s book published in 1983 drew a great deal of interest from educators. Led to the creation of Project Spectrum. The idea of the project was to create a tool to measure the intellectual profile of young children. Also led to the creation of a curriculum called Practical Intelligences for School designed for middle school students. Led to three more books. Creating Minds, Leadership Minds and Extraordinary Minds.

What influences our intelligence? Genetic potential of the learner Culture of the learner Quality of instruction received Motivation of the learner

What does all this have to do with me? Gardner’s MI theory is just one way of looking at how we learn and take in information. Want to learn more? You can read more about MI theory and even take a quick test here http://psychology.about.com/library/quiz/bl-mi- quiz.htm

Resources A Blessing of Influences - An Autobiographical Essay for Gardner Under Fire by Howard Gardner-Copyright 2006 Frequently asked questions-Multiple intelligences and related educational topics, by Howard Gardner, http://howardgardner.com/multiple-intelligences/ In a Nutshell, chapter 1 by Howard Gardner, http://howardgardner.com/multiple-intelligences/ MI After Twenty Years, by Howard Gardner, http://howardgardner.com/multiple-intelligences/