Multiple Intelligence as a tool to empower our lives!

          We cannot rate students along a single scale of ability, for they are fundamentally diverse (Seifert, 2009, pp. 68). One of the most prominent models to describe intellectual intelligence is Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences. Gardner proposes that all human beings possess all nine intelligences in varying degrees (Zhou, 2015, pp.80), each of which functions independently of the others. But in a classroom with 20 to 30 kids, it might be hard to organize a lesson that is catered to each child uniquely as an Individualized Education Plan.

          Further, intelligences or choice of the way to learn is not static. (Seifert, 2009, pp. 67) One student may like to make diagrams to help remember a reading assignment, whereas another student may prefer to write a sketchy outline instead. But this could in principle reverse also. My preference would be to have a balanced, middle-of-the-road approach may be the best response. Encourage more balance in cognitive styles used to teach the lessons. I believe that there are many ways to incorporate the model of Multiple Intelligences theory into the curriculum, and no set method (Zhou, 2015, pp.83).

          (CAREERinsite. Multiple Intlligences, 2021) test helps us to identify our top intelligence. This is my result in order: (1) Intrapersonal (2) Logical Mathematical (3) Bodily Kinaesthetic (4) Musical (5) Interpersonal (6) Naturalist (7) Verbal (8) Visual. I agree with parts of it while some surprises. I am not surprised. I have been thinking a lot about life in general since covid virus struck and hence the Intrapersonal is high. My reading has cut down and hence Verbal is low. Interpersonal has always been somewhere average.

          Most tasks in our lives require several forms of intelligence and we can also use a stronger intelligence as a support for a weaker one. In writing an essay, for example, someone with a high interpersonal intelligence but rather average verbal intelligence might use the interpersonal strength to get a lot of help and advice from others and grow (Seifert, 2009, pp.69). I would therefore like to check the MI for myself each year to get a grasp of where I stand and then use the inherent intelligence to go about life by balancing them. For example, from the test results above, I see that I need to get into reading deeply once again for I value verbal intelligence but I can let the visual spatial or naturalist intelligence be for I am on a staycation. 

   That would be the ultimate goal of learning about models of intellect, to live an empowered life.


CAREERinsite. Multiple Intlligences. (2021). https://alis.alberta.ca/careerinsite/know-yourself/multiple-intelligences-quiz/