Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
When thinking of theory, my first thoughts go directly to Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory. Based on his theory (view tag), people have different learning styles and can adapt knowledge in certain ways. Having my own classroom, I can see how this theory is put into action.
The article states that “The multiple intelligences theory represents a definition of human nature, from a cognitive perspective, ie., how we perceive; how we are aware of things. This provides absolutely pivotal and inescapable indication as to people’s preferred learning styles, as well as their behavioral and working styles, and their natural strengths. The types of intelligence that a person possesses (Gardner suggests most of us are strong in three types) indicates not only a persons capabilities, but also the manner or method in which they prefer to learn and develop their strengths – and also to develop their weaknesses.”
One could argue that this theory is not based on facts; however, it makes sense to determine that a person has different working styles and strengths considering that we’re all at different cognitive levels. When deciding the important learning factors/areas within an individual makes more possibilities for knowledge growth.
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Nate said,
October 18, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Where is this article?
dianaljackson said,
October 18, 2008 at 8:41 pm
I’m not certain as to why the tag didn’t work. I found the article at http://www.businessballs.com/howardgardnermultipleintelligences.htm
I went back and typed the address and it worked. I searched for articles that explained in depth and this one seemed to break it down.
Nate said,
October 18, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Unfortunately that article is an in accurate interpretation of Gardner. The quote is partially correct.
“The multiple intelligences theory represents a definition of human nature, from a cognitive perspective, ie., how we perceive; how we are aware of things.”
Yes. That is true.
“This provides absolutely pivotal and inescapable indication as to people’s preferred learning styles, as well as their behavioral and working styles, and their natural strengths.”
That is false. It’s an extrapolation and NOT in the original works by Gardner.
“The types of intelligence that a person possesses (Gardner suggests most of us are strong in three types) indicates not only a persons capabilities, but also the manner or method in which they prefer to learn and develop their strengths – and also to develop their weaknesses.”
The reference to Gardner is accurate but dated. I think he’s backed off the idea of some number .. but the rest of it is pure speculation on the part of Alan Chapman, the author of the article. It’s an accurate synthesis of the VAK/VARK position, but it takes unwarranted liberties with Gardner’s work when it implies that these two constructs are related.