Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” It simply tells us that every individual has their own uniqueness and peculiarity. A fish cannot climb a tree like a monkey, but a monkey cannot swim the oceans like a fish. In education we must think the same way. Every student does not think and learn the same way. Every learners have their own methods and every educators must consider it to maximize their learning potentials.
Howard Gardner’s theory of ‘Multiple Intelligences’ is the best way to describe the differences on all of the learners. His theory suggests that every individual has eight different types of intelligences. These eight builds up the intellectual self of that individual. Out of the eight, there is always one that is dominant which is considered the best intelligence. Thus everyone has their own best intelligence or the thing they are best doing at. These intelligences also combined depending on how we learn in our lives.
The first intelligence is known as verbal-linguistic intelligence or ‘word smart’. This intelligence is about an individual’s capability to scrutinize information and be creative through the use of words may it be written or spoken. If the student is good in writing essays beautifully or speaking with amazing articulation, then this is their best intelligence. It is good to push people who are ‘word smart’ to join writing or speech contests. Reading and language subjects are their favorite so it is good to maximize their potentials in those areas.
Next is logical-mathematical intelligence or ‘math smart’. It is about the ability to analyze patterns, give deductive and logical reasoning, solving mathematical problems as well as computations. Being ‘math smart’ is not just about being able to calculate fast but also being able to analyze mathematical problems with accuracy.
Visual-spatial intelligence or ‘picture smart’. Refers to the skill to manipulate and visualize vivid images into the mind in order to solve problems and give reasoning. It also leads to creativity as it is also about imagination. If the student knows how to draw with accuracy, can manipulate measurements with ease, can build stuffs like an inventor, then they are ‘picture smart’.
Moreover, there is the musical intelligence or ‘music smart’. It is about performing and musical composition. Music is not just about singing or performing it also includes analysis of musical pitches, tones as well as rhythms. Having a good voice is being ‘music smart’ but more than that having the good ears is better.
Furthermore, we have naturalistic intelligence or ‘nature smart’. It involves the ability to classify and identify different kinds of species such as plants and animals. It also involves understanding weather phenomena, natural disasters and everything that is natural to the world. Students with the green thumb are ‘nature smart’. They can maximize their potentials if they will venture in agriculture or earth science.
Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence or what we call the ‘body smart’. It is all about using your body to be creative or solve problems as well. Sporty students are ‘body smart’. Engaging in sports is not just about the understanding the rules but also commanding your body using your brain to creatively execute a good performance. Dancing is also a part of this as it requires creative body movements.
Next is interpersonal intelligence or ‘people smart’. It refers to the skill to easily see and analyze other people’s feelings, moods, intentions and etc. Being ‘people smart’ is a good intelligence as it allows an individual to know the people which lives around him while being able to use this to learn more and live wiser.
Lastly, intrapersonal intelligence or ‘self-smart’. It is about one’s capability to assess the characteristics within themselves. Knowing ourselves is one of the most important thing we must achieve. To know ourselves is to also to analyze everything around us. If a student is self-smart, he will know himself where he will excel or where he will fail.
These are all the eight intelligences. Notice how all eight has the word ‘smart’ in it. Well, it just states that every single individual is smart on their own. In the world of education, it is important to know about these eight, especially to educators who will serve as the guide to lead every single one to their better future. Educators just need to see that everyone will shine on their own way may it be today or tomorrow.
References:
Parry, N. (2016, November 26). Multiple intelligences in the classroom. Retrieved from Acorn House International: https://www.acornhouse.school/2016/11/26/multiple-intelligences-classroom/
By: Lexicon B. Collamar | Teacher III | Cataning Elementary School
