Today's post was inspired by a run I took on Harvard's campus recently. I was in Cambridge, MA for an Open Textbook Summit and decided to see Harvard's campus via a run. It was lovely - not the campus, but my run, that is. The campus, itself, was kind of dreary as nothing was in bloom and it was pretty chilly when I dawned my new red, Brooks running shoes. However, look where I found myself..... At Howard Gardner's office! Neat, no? All education majors know of Howard Gardner's work and I was feeling pretty geeked about being there in his corridor (as he was not in his office. Rats).
Since everyone knows of Howard Gardner's work in the multiple intelligences, I will be quick. If right now, you aren't part of that "everyone" crowd, don't worry. I wasn't either 15 years ago.
Here's what Dr. Gardner says about our many intelligences:
- We have just that - many intelligences. He likes to use the phrase, "multiple intelligences."
- Most schools tend to favor only "some" of the intelligences. Such a shame....
- The linguistic and mathematical-logical intelligences are the two most prized and favored intelligences in traditional public schools. Think of the SAT and what two main areas it measures.
- Other important intelligences include: Musical, spatial, naturalist, existentialist, intrapersonal, interpersonal and bodily/kinesthetic
- Many people get the "personal" intelligences confused. Intrapersonal is the intelligence you possess when you are being reflective, keeping a diary or a journal, or sharing your feelings. Interpersonal is the intelligence you possess when you relate to and get along well with other people. Teachers, by the way, should have high interpersonal intelligence.
- Ironically, I met some of Dr. Gardner's graduate students at a conference years ago and they said even though his theory is so dynamic, he teaches in an old-school kind of way. They said each class he taught, he would arrive right at the start of class, crack a can of coke, lecture and leave right away. They said he made no attempt to include nor invigorate the nine intelligences.
Funny, no?
I guess I need to go to Harvard and take a class with Dr. G to see for myself.
Care to join me? We could do our Ph.D.s together.
Jen
