MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCE THEORY
Introduction
The multiple intelligence theory was a proposition by Howard Gardner, who in1983, came up with this model to distinguish intelligence based on given primary and specific sensory modalities. He argues that intelligence should not be seen as led by a special ability. (Howard, 2000).
According to Thomas (2009), contrary to expectations, the long-established belief that the measure of intelligence is based on I.Q. scores is inadequate.
Hence, he proposes eight distinct intelligences that can be used to access a child’s knowledge and arrive to a conclusion on a child’s level of potential, for instance in history. According to Gardner’s intelligences, five of which have been discussed as below, access to a child’s knowledge in history and his/her the thought process can be arrived at as discussed below:
Through Linguistic intelligence where their smartness in the use of words, for instance how effectively they use historical terms in their language or writing. This can enable the teacher or any other caregiver to gain an insight into their cognitive abilities, thus, their level of understanding of the subject.
The caregiver can also gauge their musical intelligence by observing how smart they are in singing, for instance in singing historical songs used by the teacher to teach history. This is true because children memorize facts better when they sing them in a relaxed atmosphere.
References
Howard, G. (2000). Intelligences for the 21st Century. New York: Sage Publishers.
Thomas, A. (2009).Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 3rd ed. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
