Howard Gardner & Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner claimed that there were multiple intelligences and that not all people learn the same because of how they are programmed to think. These intelligences include: verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, spacial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist.  If this is the case, many learning strategies must be employed in the classroom in order to effectively reach every student and provide them with the best learning opportunity for their specific intelligence. With a drop out rate around 30% in the United States, we cannot afford to take this variance in intelligences lightly. If students need to be engaged based on how they learn and perceive the world, then we should do everything within our power as teachers to provide this type of education.

Some classrooms have created micro-environments based on student’s different needs in the classroom, for example: light and darker areas of the classroom, changes in temperature, varied seating arrangements, etc- can all attribute to a more creative classroom atmosphere which can provide nurturing space for students of many different intelligences and learning styles. Teachers can also be creative in the types of assignments they create; allowing the students to create their projects using their own view of the information can be a fun, easy and creative way to work in a variety of intelligence styles. Gardner believed that students should be involved in their learning and I agree that this is imperative to successful education, getting students involved with their learning acquisition. If we only provide one strategy for instruction, one narrow view of education and how we run the classroom, we may be marginalizing students who do not thrive that particular way. Being an effective teacher means being willing to get creative, morph with the students and explore multiple intelligences and instructional strategies.