The Theory of The Theory of

Multiple Multiple

IntelligencesIntelligences

Howard Gardner is a Howard Gardner is a professor at Harvard professor at Harvard University.University.

He has spent decades He has spent decades researching how researching how people learn and what people learn and what makes a person makes a person “intelligent”.“intelligent”.

Gardner created a theory that says a Gardner created a theory that says a person can be intelligent in more than one person can be intelligent in more than one way. way.

Gardner realized that some students are Gardner realized that some students are smart but didn’t do well on tests.smart but didn’t do well on tests.

Instead of looking at what students Instead of looking at what students couldn’t couldn’t do, he started to look at what do, he started to look at what studentsstudents could could do.do.

In 1983, he created the theory of “Multiple In 1983, he created the theory of “Multiple Intelligences.”Intelligences.”

If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live it’s whole life believing it is stupid!it will live it’s whole life believing it is stupid!

There are 8 types of intelligences:There are 8 types of intelligences:

1. Linguistic (A): 1. Linguistic (A): the ability to use language or the ability to use language or words to express yourself.words to express yourself.

2. Logical-Mathematical (B): 2. Logical-Mathematical (B): the ability to detect the ability to detect patterns and think logically; usually good at math patterns and think logically; usually good at math and/or science.and/or science.

3. Spatial (C): 3. Spatial (C): the ability to create mental images the ability to create mental images to solve problems or express yourself.to solve problems or express yourself.

4. Musical (D): 4. Musical (D): the ability to understand and create the ability to understand and create music.music.

5. Bodily-Kinesthetic (E): 5. Bodily-Kinesthetic (E): the ability to use your the ability to use your body in a skilled way, such as dancers, athletes, body in a skilled way, such as dancers, athletes, actors, etc.actors, etc.6. Interpersonal (F):6. Interpersonal (F): the ability to perceive and the ability to perceive and understand others (teachers, therapists, ministers)understand others (teachers, therapists, ministers)7. Intrapersonal (G): 7. Intrapersonal (G): the ability to understand the ability to understand yourself and your own emotionsyourself and your own emotions8. Naturalistic (H): the ability to sense nature and 8. Naturalistic (H): the ability to sense nature and the world around them (zoo keepers, animal the world around them (zoo keepers, animal trainers, conservationists)trainers, conservationists)

Traditional intelligence has always been defined as being Traditional intelligence has always been defined as being good at math or English.good at math or English.

Student success at school is measured by the ability to do Student success at school is measured by the ability to do well in those areas. well in those areas.

For example, STAR tests and high school exit exams.For example, STAR tests and high school exit exams.

Students with skills and abilities in other areas are often Students with skills and abilities in other areas are often overlooked.overlooked.

Teachers are beginning to understand that if students don’t Teachers are beginning to understand that if students don’t

all learn the same way, then they can’t all be tested in the all learn the same way, then they can’t all be tested in the same way. same way.

1.1. Cal Ripken, Jr.: Cal Ripken, Jr.: played in 2,632 straight games played in 2,632 straight games

over 17 seasons and played a total of 20 years in over 17 seasons and played a total of 20 years in

major league baseballmajor league baseball

2.2. Maya Angelou: Maya Angelou: her books have been nominated for her books have been nominated for

major literary awards.major literary awards.

3.3. Wolfgang Mozart: Wolfgang Mozart: died at age 35 after writing over died at age 35 after writing over

600 musical compositions.600 musical compositions.

4.4. Sigmund Freud: Sigmund Freud: a psychiatrist who developed the a psychiatrist who developed the

theory of psychoanalysistheory of psychoanalysis

6. 6. Frank Lloyd Wright: Frank Lloyd Wright: an architect who an architect who

built and designed over 500 buildings.built and designed over 500 buildings.

7. Anne Sullivan: 7. Anne Sullivan: taught the blind and deaf taught the blind and deaf

Helen Keller how to communicate using sign Helen Keller how to communicate using sign

language in Keller’s hand.language in Keller’s hand.

8. Steve Irwin: 8. Steve Irwin: and nicknamed “The and nicknamed “The

Crocodile Hunter”, was an Australian wildlife Crocodile Hunter”, was an Australian wildlife

expert, television personality, and expert, television personality, and

conservationist.conservationist.

MORE RESOURCES ~MORE RESOURCES ~

A brief introduction to Howard Gardnerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4fLNlug7B0&feature=related (3 minutes)

Gardner himself talking about how/why he developed the multiple intelligenceshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEFpaY3GI-I (2 minutes)

Garner speaking about schools today and how students learnhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2QtSbP4FRg&feature=related (8 minutes)