Gardner on Multiple Intelligences

The Theory:

In class, we watched a video of Howard Gardner discussing his theory of multiple intelligences. If you are unfamiliar with these multiple intelligences, I will provide you with some background information. Howard Gardner's theory of the multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 and he proposed that the traditional IQ test was a far too limited way to test a person's intelligence. His theory started out by suggesting that there are eight different intelligences that people have that must be accounted for in order for their potential to be met. These intelligences are:

• Linguistic Intelligence (word smart)
• Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (number/reasoning smart)
• Spatial Intelligence (picture smart)
• Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (body smart)
• Musical Intelligence (music smart)
• Interpersonal Intelligence (people smart)
• Intrapersonal Intelligence (self smart)
• Naturalist Intelligence (nature smart)

Gardner believes that our schools and culture focus too much attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligences. When this is done, we have six other intelligences that are not being accounted for! Thanks to Gardner and his theory, educators around the country are recognizing the unique abilities that their students have. This has shaken the education world and inspired teachers to teach to the multiple intelligences in their classroom.


Here is a great picture I found online to represent the eight multiple intelligences.
Credit: http://leoniemathilde.weebly.com/uploads/2/2/7/4/22749974/7383919_orig.png

For the classroom:

How can you use this in the classroom? There are many different ways! At the beginning of the school year, teachers can distribute a multiple intelligence test to each of their students. There are many different versions of this test that can be found for free online. From here, the teacher will understand the students' unique learning style and will be able to better teach them because of it. There are many different ways to teach to the different intelligences but here are some main ones:

• Words (linguistic intelligence)
• Numbers or logic (logical-mathematical intelligence)
• Pictures (spatial intelligence)
• Music (musical intelligence)
• Self-reflection (intrapersonal intelligence)
• A physical experience (bodily-kinesthetic intelligence)
• A social experience (interpersonal intelligence)
• An experience in the natural world. (naturalist intelligence)

By incorporating these different learning experiences into the classroom, teachers will be able to meet the needs of ALL students; no exclusions.

Integrating Art:

What does art have to do with this? It has to do with EVERYTHING! Art is a fun and easy way to meet the needs for all students. Here are some examples of how art can be used to meet the needs of the multiple intelligences:

• Linguistic Intelligence: Incorporate visual arts by having students create television ads or music by having students write a poem and create a rhythm to go with it.
• Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Incorporate visual arts by having students create a detailed outline or board game.
• Spatial Intelligence: Incorporate visual arts by having students create a poster, map, diagram, or even a comic strip.
• Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Incorporate visual arts by having students construct a model or representation of something. 
• Musical Intelligence: Incorporate music by having students write a song or play different musical instruments.
• Interpersonal Intelligence: Incorporate drama/theatre with role playing a story with their classmates.
• Intrapersonal Intelligence: Incorporate visual arts by having students plan, visualize, and then draw what the want to do next with a project.
• Naturalist Intelligence: Incorporate dance by having students symbolize a different plant or the visual arts by having students draw plan to adapt a piece of material for a new use.

As you can see, these are just a few methods for integrating arts in regards to the multiple intelligences. There are many ways out there and lucky for us, we have the internet for so many free resources.