Of the current pedagogical techniques in use in education, Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences is one of the most useful for professional teacher practice and one that I strive to employ as much as possible. Gardner identifies eight different types of intelligence that teachers can promote in the classroom-linguistic, mathematical, spatial, kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic, each of which fits neatly into a different subject area (Dickinson, 2002, p. 1). The influence of Gardner's theory is that it affects how teachers present material to students, ensuring that every learner's specific area of intelligence is met. Teachers can develop lessons that appeal to and address the needs of each intelligence so that every student can be assured of learning the material in the way he or she is best equipped to do so. Understandably, intelligences the student is not already strong in are also desirable to teach from, as a means of helping the student develop greater skills in those areas. The influence of implementing Gardner's theory on student growth and learning can be substantial. By teaching students so that they develop multiple intelligences, teachers enable them to learn in myriad ways that can later translate into greater insights, transferable skills, and the comprehensive level of understanding needed to excel in a demanding job that requires a range of abilities and knowledge. The student with multiple intelligences can learn, understand, and apply a wide spectrum of concepts and information that would otherwise be unavailable to him or her.
Dickinson, D. (2002). Multiple Intelligences by Dr. Howard Gardner. Retrieved on March 3, 2010 from: http://www.biaoregon.org/docetc/pdf/conf05/Multiple.Intelligences.doc.
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