Multiple Intelligence...Useful or Not?

DOES MI WORK?
Lately there have been several studies that show little or no growth in students when teachers use Multiple Intelligence (MI) in the classroom.

I do not dispute these studies.  These students might not demonstrate any growth, or little growth.  But, are these studies looking at the glass of data as being half full?  What might have happened to those same students if the teachers did NOT implement Multiple Intelligence in the classroom.  Could these same students have fallen?

Don't get me wrong, I want all students to improve and rise the highest level. As an educator, we want to use best practices, and questioning practices is good.  But might these studies have left something out of the study of MI?  MI is so much more than having students complete assignments in different formats. 

WHAT IS MI?
In a nut shell, MI is based upon the premise that "people employ several different types of intelligence, rather than one general type." Dr. Gardner created eight different kinds of learners, that include:

• Linguistic
• Logical.Mathematical
• Visual/Spatial 
• Musical
• Bodily/Kinesthetic
• Naturalistic
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal

Dr. Gardner believes all people can learn, but we learn best in our own way.  

As a classroom teacher, I have used MI to change my lessons based upon my students learning styles.  Many times, I have created different assignments for the same lesson.  Then I have given students options for the assignment.  For example some students might pick a poetry assignment, while others might complete the presentation assignment. When students have choices they feel empowered in their education.  Empowerment in education is a good thing!

THERE IS MORE!

But there is another side of MI which I think the studies missed; building of a community.  MI is built upon the foundation that ALL students can be successful learners.  All students in the classroom can learn in their own modality.  Some students are known to be the "artist", while other students might be known as the expert in figuring out puzzles, or another might be very good at writing poems.  Over time, the students in the class will learn who the "go to person" will be for a certain skill.  In short, MI builds upon the idea that all students can contribute to the community of learning in the classroom.

MI empowers students in other ways.  When students understand how their brains works, the begin to overcome their obstacles.  MI is a tool for students to discover their best method of learning.  Once students begin the journey of discovery of their own learning, they begin to take charge of the education.  This is a good thing!

NEED RESOURCES?
Please visit my store for many rubrics, projects, and assignments based upon MI. The Social Studies Super Store!

DO YOU WANT TO JOIN IN?

If you might want to learn more about MI, here are a few internet resources.

• MI inventory assessment
• Good over view of MI and a VERY COOL interactive assessment tool! 
• This artilce explains the different between MI and learning styles