Research Paper on "Multiple Intelligences"

Research Paper 7 pages (1822 words) Sources: 4

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Multiple Intelligences

The theory of multiple intelligences (MI) was advanced by Dr. Howard Gardner, an education professor who coordinated a projects dubbed project Zero at Harvard University. In his theory he presented a challenge to the common notion that the issue of intelligence is a single entity that is possessed by every person to a various degrees. By means of credible sources and research evidence, Dr. Gardner presented his theory on the existence of multiple intelligences. The multiple intelligences are therefore as a result of cognitive profiles that are unique for each and every person. This discovery has therefore presented an important factor that can effectively. The idea of multiple intelligences has therefore been explored by various researchers and educators.

The theory

According to the multiple intelligences theory, the description of the human cognitive competence is best if certain parameters such as unique ability sets, mental capability (intelligences) as well as talent are considered. A normal person possess all the above mentioned factors but to varying degrees. The other factors that differ per person is the degrees of these skills as well as the way in which they are combined. This therefore led Dr. Gardner to conclude that such a theory is paramount in the development of curriculum (Kumbar, 2006). It should be noted that despite the fact that there are empirical evidence which backs the MI theory, there is a general lack of knowledge on the application of the theory in the field of psychology. The relevance of the theory to the various educational fields is however still being experimented. As pointed out by Gardner, it is important to ensure that the theory of multiple intelligence be exposed to repeated revisions with a consideration of the real classroom experience. It is worth pointing out that the status quo scenario currently neglects both talents and intelligence.

It must also be pointed out that the individuals who possess these talents are more often than note victims of single mindedness.

In order to come up with a proper evaluation on the effectiveness of multiple intelligences, it is important to ensure that we clearly understand all the factors that fuel the use and application of the theory of multiple intelligence as pointed out by Dr. Gardner. He introduced the theory that points out that there exists a total of seven forms of intelligence in the human race.These intelligences are logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, linguistic interpersonal, bodily-kinesthetic as well as interpersonal intelligence (Gardner,1983).It is important to point out that these intelligences exists in vcarrying degress in every person abd integral cognitive entry points that are necessary for the translation of an individual's experience that would then be used to form their understanding. It is a fact that people often tend to give preference to certain intelligences and thus use that form of intelligence in the process of learning. Therefore, cognitive intelligence becomes their most preferred form of learning.

As Gardner (1993) point out "Owing to heredity, early training, or, in all probability a constant interaction between these factors, some individuals will develop certain intelligences far more than others; but every normal individual should develop each intelligence to some extent, given but a modest opportunity to do so ."

Linguistic intelligence

This form of intelligence has been proven to be effective in the improvement of the education systems across various centers of learning. It is however defined by specialized and very well developed writing, auditory and reading skills as pointed out by Teele (2000). This form of intelligence can effectively be harnessed to aid learners who have a preference for listening as well as reading skills in the process of acquiring their various cognitive llearning.These learners have also been found to enjoy a lot of rhetoric discussions.

This type of leaning can effectively be utilized in the process of teaching technical communication. This is because the teaching of subjects such as English relies to a very large extent on the good use of words as well as the ability of the students to use and understand the words. The various language departments such as English department rely heavily on the ability of the students to understand linguistics as well, as the grammar in the process of defining the language

Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

This type of intelligence is manifested in learners who have a high sensitivity to various mathematical patterns as well as the regularities that exists within the mathematical patterns. This type of intelligence is made up of an individual' ability to effectively analyze a problem in a logical manner by means of various, mathematical operations as well as the knack to use science in solving of issues. This typoe of intelligence can effectively be used in the development of curricula to support scientific as well as mathematical subjects/programs.

Musical intelligence

This type if intelligence is used in the process of performing, composing and appreciation of various musical patterns. It can be used effectively in the process of recognizing as well as composing various musical pitches, rhythms and tones. The fact that this form of intelligence has almost the same structure as linguistic intelligence is of great value to various educators.

Those who posses information through body sensation are termed as Bodily -- kinesthetic learners (Teele,2000) .The brain has to be activated through movement for long-term memory to occur in Bodily -- kinesthetic learners, though this type of learner is rarely overtly addressed by technical communication theorist, tools that are definitive methods for teaching this type of learners are readily used by technical communicators. A pilot should be provided with a manual airplane operation but why should the airline manufacturers train pilots using a built cockpit mock-up which are built to address bodily-kinesthetic education? There are some environments that cannot accurately or easily be produced by a manual no matter how good the reader may be and certain valuable in cognition sensations that the manual cannot reproduce for example a manual cannot describe accurately how a pilot feels when on the yoke of an aircraft while undergoing through turbulence she wasn't expecting at the same time a pilot in training may not her physical response is adequate for mitigating a turbulence. The bodily-kinesthetic leaders require to understand a physical feedback loop that texts do not provide. A cockpit ups mock may be an exotic example for a communication of this type.. Touch screen kiosks ifound in malls and trade shows s common

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence

This type of intelligence is involved in an individual when they can use parts of their body or their body as a whole in the process of solving an otherwise complex problem. It can be used effectively in the training of physical education classes as well as the training of athletes. It involves the use of an individual's mental ability to coordinate their bodily movements as well as functions.

Spatial intelligence

This form of intelligence is important to educators or rather in the field of education in the process of teaching students on how to recognize as well as utilize various patterns in areas that are restrictive, confined as well as wide spaced environments

Interpersonal intelligence

This type of intelligence is concerned with the ability to comprehend various intentions as well as motivations and the personal desire of others. It is important for eduacators as well as other professionals in the field of religion as well as politics to possess very highly developed interpersonal intelligence. The reasoning behind this intelligence lies on an individual's ability to connect with others.

Intrapersonal intelligence

This form of intelligence involves the ability of an individual to effectively understand them. This coupled with the ability to fathom their own feelings is important in order to come up with a perfect working model for their own progress and persona development. This is crucial for the process of regulation one's own personal life.

Relevance in education

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence is never accepted readily in the domain of academic psychology. There have been however, several positive responses to the theory from a cross section of educators. It has therefore received considerable amount of embrace from various educational theorists.

Several North American schools have been able to effectively consider an integration of the MI theory into their curricula (Smith,2008). The MI theory has also been effectively been utilized in various higher, adult, pre-school as well as adult education programs.

The various responses that the MI theory has attracted can be parallel by the application of Kolb's model of experimental leaning among informal and adult educators (Smith, 2008).This is however amid a myriad of criticisms on the basis of the formations of the theory. The MI theory has been successfully been used in formulating important question sets as well as definitive rules to guide and aid the educators in the process of streamlining their practice. It is however important to point out the fact that the method and degree of adoption of the Howards MI theory is varied in the formation of various policies as well as in actual practice.… READ MORE

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