mIQ. Multiple Intelligences: Why This New Blog Of Mine – Frank A Hilario

The now-accepted theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) by Harvard psychology professor Howard Gardner proposed in his book Frames Of Mind in 1983, some 4 decades ago, has not captivated the thinking of educational institutions, from Grade School to Grad School, anywhere in the world. We educators are to blame – we have not learned to be geniuses ourselves in teaching!

40 years and in the Philippines, we have yet to solve the poverty of millions (plural) of Filipino farmers! We have not been applying our intelligences (plural) – we have not learned to be much more intelligent in many more areas than what our school cards show.

I’m not surprised – we have yet to appreciate the concept of MI. Here is proof: Based in the Philippines, the “Multiple Intelligence International School” (MIIS) says (mischool.edu.ph):

“Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

“In line with the school thrust of raising leaders who make a difference, the MIIS STEM program equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills to create a better tomorrow.

I note 2 things there. (1) The title itself of the above sharing limits the subject to only 4: science, technology, engineering and mathematics. (2) It further limits the skills to only 2: critical thinking, problem-solving.

We must cultivate not just 1 but 11 intelligences in different individuals – the MIIS STEM program limits the teaching to 2: “critical thinking” and “problem-solving skills” – and both are nowhere to be found in Gardner’s list!

Here is Gardner’s MI list (with #2 added by me):

1. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”)
2. Creative Intelligence (“Thinking Smart”), added by FAH
3. Existential Intelligence (“Life Smart”)
4. Interpersonal Intelligence (“People Smart”)
5. Intrapersonal Intelligence (“Self Smart”)
6. Mathematical-Logical Intelligence (“Number/Reasoning Smart”)
7. Musical Intelligence (“Music Smart”)
8. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”)
9. Spatial Intelligence (“Image Smart”)
10. Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence (“Word Smart”).

I say “mIQ” to point out that the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) is quite limited. Wikipedia says (en.wikipedia.org):

An intelligence quotient (IQ) is a total score derived from a set of standardised tests or subtests designed to assess human intelligence.

IQ was advanced by the German Howard Stern in 1912 (Wikipedia). The concept of IQ means that there is only one kind of human intelligence – but the American Howard Gardner has shown us that there are quite a few! That is to say, we teachers are not intelligent enough if we know only IQ!

The above image shows not the MI list but “Learning Styles” that total only 7 – should be at least 9. The list is this: Visual, Musical/Auditory, Verbal, Physical/Kinethetic, Logical/Mathematical, Social, Solitary.  That is to say, each MI is equal to a learning style. For instance, if your intelligence is Logical/Mathematical, “you prefer using logic, reason and systems” even if you have not been taught to preferably do so. Your innate main intelligence is instinctual.
(image from Little Great Minds, blogs.ubc.ca)

All the above is to say: “There are no idiots or dull minds – only people with undiscovered or unappreciated intelligences. We have to help them find their own native talents!@517

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