Howard GardnerTheory of

Multiple Intelligences

ED 530 Theorist PresentationSpring Semester 2010

Dorene Byler

BackgroundBorn July 11, 1943 in Scranton, PA

Parents were refugees from Germany who came to the USA in 1938

Was an accomplished child pianist Considered being a professional pianist for a

time Taught piano lessons from 1958 to 1969

B.A. In Social Relations from Harvard College in 1965

Ph.D. In Psychology from Harvard University in 1971

BackgroundStudied with well-known developmental

psychologists Jerome Bruner and Erik Erikson

Intended to study children and artistic abilities, but became enthralled with neuropsychology.

Received a postdoctoral fellowship under famous neuropsychologist Norman Geschwind at the Boston Veterans Hospital.

Conducted years of research in normal and gifted children, and in adults who experienced brain damage

•Developed a theory of multiple intelligences and presented it for the first time in Frames of Mind (1983)

BackgroundBegan teaching t the Harvard Graduate School of

Education in 1986

Joined Harvard Project Zero in the mid 1980s and is now the Co-Director Project Zero is a group that researches and

studies human cognition

1990 – Gardner is the first American to receive the University ofLouisville's Grawemaeyer Award in Education

2000 – he received a Fellowship from the John S. Guggenheim Memorial Foundation

Background•Has written over 27 books which have been

translated into at least 28 different languages

•Holds Honorary degrees from 26 colleges and universities from five different countries.

2004 – named an Honorary Professor at East China Normal University in Shanghai

2005 & 2008 – was selected by Foreign Policy and 'Prospect magazines as one of the 100 most influential public intellectuals in the world

BackgroundHas been elected as a member of the following:

American Academy of Arts and Sciences American Philosophical Society National Academy of Education Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts,

Manufactures, and Commerce

Serves on numerous boards including: Spencer Foundation Amherst College New York's Museum of Modern Art

BackgroundCurrently, Howard Gardner is:

the John H. and Elisabth A. Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education t the Harvard Graduate School of Education

an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Harvard University

an Adjunct Professor of Neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine

Multiple Intelligences

Different types of human intelligence; the several independent forms of human intelligence that exist, according to one psychological theory, including verbal, quantitative, spatial, musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal intelligence.

(MSN Encarta, 2010)

Multiple Intelligences

Linguistic (Verbal) Intelligence

Sensitive to the written and spoken language.Having the ability learn languages relatively easilyUsing language (in various forms) to accomplish goalsHaving the ability to express oneself through language – spoken and writtenIncludes writers, lawyers, poets, and speakers

Multiple Intelligences

Logical-Mathematical (Quantitive) Intelligence

Having the ability to analyze situations andproblems in a logical mannerBeing able to carry out mathematical operationsThe investigation of things in a scientific mannerBeing able to find patternsDeductive reasoningLogical thinkingUsually associated with scientists and mathematicians

Multiple Intelligences

Spatial Intelligence

The ability to see and use the patterns of wide and confined areas

Multiple Intelligences

Musical Intelligence

Musical skill – by way of performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patternsThe ability to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythmsGardner states that musical intelligence and linguistic intelligence run in structures that are almost parallel to each other

Multiple Intelligences

Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence

Using one's body or body parts to solve problemsThe ability to coordinate movements of body partsGardner is a firm believer that physical activity is strongly related to mental activity

Multiple Intelligences

Interpersonal Intelligence

Having the ability to understand and interpret the intentions, motivations, and desires of othersOne works very well with othersThis intelligence includes teachers, salespeople, religious leaders, political leaders, and counsellors of all kinds

Multiple Intelligences

Intrapersonal Intelligence

Having the ability to fully understand oneself by appreciating one's own feelings, fears, and motivationsGardner believes this intelligence allows people to use the information of their own life to better regulate it

World of Education

Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences has not been readily accepted by those in the realm of “academic” psychology. However, it has been embraced by educators of all kinds throughout

the world.

Why does his theory appeal to the world of education?

World of EducationWhy does Gardner's theory of multiple

intelligences appeal to educators?

His studies prove that if there are multiple intelligences, there are multiple ways of learning and, thus, teaching any given concept.

Allows for teachers to better reflect on teaching, analyze data, and develop curricula

Helps teachers develop new approaches

World of Education

Gardner did not have education “in mind” when he did his research on intelligence and developed his theory.

He later went back and wrote some books relating his theory to education.

He looks at his theory as a way to help those who think “differently” and educators who are looking to change or modify their teaching or approach to help all in the classroom.

Conclusion

Gardner is of the belief that the education system of today focuses on educating others by using

the linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligences. He believes that while these are

important and should never be left out of education, there are other approaches to

concepts that can be gained by looking into other intelligences.

“I want my children to understand the world, but not just because the world is fascinating and the human mind is curious. I want them to understand it so that they will be positioned to make it a better place. Knowledge is not the same as morality, but we need to understand if we are to avoid past mistakes and move in productive directions. An important part of that understanding is knowing who we are and what we can do...Ultimately, we must synthesize our understandings for ourselves. The performance of understanding that try matters are the ones we carry out as human beings in an imperfect world which we can affect for good or for ill.”(Howard Gardner, 1999)

ReferencesGardner, Howard Earl (1943 - ). Retrieved February 1,

2010 from http://findarticles.comarticles/mi_g2699/is_0004/ai_2699000478/

Gardner, Howard (1999). The Disciplined Mind: Beyond Facts And Standardized Tests, The K – 12 Education That Every Child Deserves, New York: Simon and Schuster (and New York: Penguin Putnam).

History of Howard Gardner, The. Retrieved Janury 29, 2010 from http://www.howardgardner.com/bio/lerner_winner.htm

ReferencesHoward Gardner, Multiple Intelligences and

Education. Retrieved Friday, January 29,2010 from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm

Howard Gardner short biography. Retrieved February 3, 2010 from http:pzweb.harvard.edu/PIs/HG.htm

MSN Encarta. Retrieved February 1, 2010 from http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861631837/mulitple_intelligences.html

Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved Monday, February 1, 2010 from http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.htm