“Anything that is worth teaching can be presented in many different ways. These multiple ways can make use of our multiple intelligences.” – Howard Gardner

Have you ever thought that each child is unique and has distinctive intelligence? Being an IBPYP facilitator,  at one of the best IB schools in India, from last 7 years, I questioned myself that how I can cater to the different needs of my learners, making sure that they reach to the expected learning outcomes. Then, I came across ‘Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligence’ that firmly emphasis that each child is different and we being the 21^st century skilled facilitators need to cater to their learning abilities.

Why Multiple Intelligence is significant in classroom?

Gardner believed that the traditional way of testing one’s intelligence quotient could not effectively measure the vast potential the children have. Every child possesses a mixed bag of intelligence and innate talents, with different ways of learning, retaining information and understanding the world.

Bringing Multiple Intelligence into the classroom

I would like to share few of the techniques I used in my classroom to bring in MI. While my communicators of Grade 5 were inquiring about the different types of government, instead of stuffing them directly with lot of theory, I made sure to give a choice to my learners to choose their type of government they would research. Moreover, giving them ample options to research and present their inquiry in different ways.

• Visual/Spatial (Picture Smart) 

In this case, the learners were provided with videos and pictures and were given the agency to present their finding through pictures/illustrations/posters. Teachers can increase student engagement, comprehension, and retention of knowledge and concepts in the classroom by using effective visual aids.

• Linguistic (Word Smart)

Here in, learners were provided with text sets to research and dive into inquiry and the same were presented through detailed summarizations/poetry/persuasive writing. Children’s social and emotional development benefits from the use of Word Smart teaching strategies. It could give them a fresh perspective on a subject.

• Kinesthetic (Body Smart)

Learners had the opportunity to explain about the different levels of government through role play involving bodily movements. The pedagogy of role-playing has been applied in a wide range of settings and subject areas. The role-playing method of instruction has been proven to be successful in achieving learning objectives in the affective, cognitive, and behavioural learning domains.

• Logical (Number Smart)

Learners analyzed and interpreted the voter turnout data. They used their knowledge of numbers to make interpretations. Logic, order, and steps are the keys to success for logical learners. These students are good with numbers, have an easy time making connections, and can spot patterns.

• Interpersonal (People Smart)

Learners went in groups to research and present their understanding about the initiatives taken by the government. Students have the chance to practise process skills—essential for processing information, analysing, and solving problems—as well as management skills through the usage of group roles and assessment skills—involved in evaluating possibilities to determine their group’s final solution.

• Intrapersonal (Myself Smart)

Right through the inquiries into the government systems, learners wrote independent reflections on various modes and shared with their peers and their teachers.

The dry lectures don’t work in today’s scenario. Now – a – days each child is an agentic learner and with the up rise of Educational Technology, teaching – learning process has completely changed. Instead of perceiving all students as alike, they should be treated as having different learning styles, and different ways of looking at the world. So, being the IB facilitator at one of the top international schools in Mohali, we try to bring more visibility of Multiple Intelligence into our classrooms.

Home Room Teacher- Grade 5

(Oakridge International School, Mohali)