According to Gardner,
All human beings possess all nine intelligences in varying amounts.
Each person has a different intellectual composition.
We can improve education by addressing the multiple intelligences of our students.
These intelligences are located in different areas of the brain and can either work independently or together.
These intelligences may define the human species.
In an effort to understand the concept better, one can take a lot of online tests – psychological tests that can give a truthful assessment about a person’s multiple intelligence levels. Here is a sample test and its result for the author of this paper.
Multiple Intelligences – A sample test
Multiple Intelligence SAMPLE TEST
Now answer these questions by clicking on the box that you most agree with. There are 40 questions. You will need to answer every question before you click the “Finish” button.
This is not like me at all I am very rarely like this This is a bit like me This is sometimes like me I am like this more often than not I am always like this
I enjoy making music.
I enjoy social events like parties.
I can take things apart and put them back together easily.
I can use lots of different words to express myself.
I can remember pieces of music easily.
I am an independent thinker. I know my own mind.
I have a good sense of direction.
I enjoy logic problems and puzzles.
I like to make lists.
I learn best when I have to get up and do it for myself.
I can recognise and name different types of birds, trees and plants.
I find it easy to explain to others.
I always do things one-step at a time.
I enjoy working on my own.
I need to see something in it for me before I want to learn something.
I learn well from listening to others.
I remember things like telephone numbers by repeating them to a rhythm.
I have a good sense of balance and like to move around a lot.
I can sort out arguments between friends.
I can pick out different instruments when I listen to a piece of music.
I am good at mathematical problems and using numbers.
I am observant. I often see things that others miss.
I am sensitive to the moods and feelings of others.
I enjoy writing things down.
I like working and thinking on my own and quietly.
I like to work with a team.
I like to think through problems while I walk or run.
My mood changes when I listen to music.
I enjoy games involving other people.
I like to use charts and diagrams in my learning.
I am interested in why people do the things they do.
I can picture scenes in my head when I remember things.
I can link things together and pick out patterns easily.
I get restless easily.
I enjoy being outdoors when I learn.
Pollution makes me angry.
I like to work with my hands.
I like to think out loud.
I know myself well.
I keep or like pets.
Interpretation of the graph:
© 2002 – 2012 Birmingham City Council Birmingham Grid for Learning |
The answer graph was like a mirror reflecting the true nature of the author of this paper.
- Linguistic – The author speaks reads and writes a minimum of 6 different languages, and speaks nine.
- Interpersonal – A very people oriented person this person is in the training profession administering behavioural and soft skills training to the employees of IBM.
- Visual/Spatial – The person is very imaginative and creative along with some story telling abilities. Has the ability to visualise.
- Music – Has been learning music from the age of four and is passionate about it.
- Kinaesthetic – Is moderately aware of body and movements
- Naturalistic – Is not plant friendly – only pet friendly
- Intrapersonal – Is not very great at working out own issues
- Logical – No capacity to do numbers
How to recognise Multiple Intelligence attributes?
By common derivation and inference it is clear that all human beings work with multiple intelligence. The world is made up of all kinds of people which is why t here are experts in all fields. So the common nominator is that different people are good at different subjects, different fields and excel differently as well. The table below show the various attributes for easy recognition.
Various Multiple Intelligence Activities
Each person possesses more than one form of intelligence and this is reflected in our ability to multitask. However, the following activities can help decide our leanings towards a particular activity.
Linguistic Intelligence is all About Expression, Using Words
Write a story and read it aloud.
Impromptu speaking/ debate.
Read and write books or articles.
Conduct an interview (role-play) or do talk shows.
Play games that use tongue twisters and spellings.
Write journals or diaries or theories.
Document and present a thesis.