Howard Gardner

Howard Gardner theorized that there are multiple types of intelligence.  Gardner identified eight different types of intelligence, which he believes are all present in all people; however, people will learn most effectively when they apply their strongest intelligent to the task.  Verbal intelligence explores people's ability to express things through words and language.  Mathematical intelligence simply implies people's ability to think and work in a mathematical context.  Spatial intelligence relates to people's ability to think in three-dimensions.  Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence explores a person's ability to manipulate things and move physically.  Musical intelligence refers to how adapted people are to pitch, melody, rhythm, and tone.  Interpersonal intelligence implies how well someone can interact with other people.  Intrapersonal intelligence relates to a person's ability to oneself.  Naturalist intelligence refers to people's ability to understand natural patterns and systems in nature.  All people possess all types of intelligence, though to a different degree (Campbell, Campbell, & Dickinson, 2004).

Despite teaching mathematics, I need to be aware that some students will learn more effectively when the topics relate to a different, stronger form of intelligence.  One way to account for different forms of intelligence is to design an assignment that requires more than mathematical intelligence.  I would do this by having groups analyze the statistics behind weather patterns over the course of a week and then present their findings to the class using bar graphs and line graphs.  This would allow students to work interpersonally with one another while they study naturalistic concepts.  By allowing students to present their findings, they will be developing verbal intelligence.  Also, the use of statistical analysis and graphs will be using their mathematical intelligence.  Because the students are in groups, students with stronger skills in verbal intelligence may choose to focus their time on the final presentation, whereas students stronger in mathematical intelligence will choose to study the statistics that the naturalistic students deem important to the project.  By giving students the opportunity to display different forms of intelligence in a math class, students with math anxiety will be able to learn math in a context with which they may feel more comfortable (5.3).  This will also allow students to develop different forms of intelligence rather than simply focus on mathematical ideas.