Question

Outline one theory of multiple intelligences. Suggest how the theory might be used to inform and improve educational practices.

Answer 1

The Theory of Multiple Intelligences is proposed by Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983.

According to him the traditional methods of education and testing a human's potential with their IQs is not sufficient enough to measure a person's ability. And hence he proposed to consider 8 different intelligence to scale a human potential in a broader range.

Let's consider one of them.

Musical Intelligence...

We see teachers trying to make students understand in a way and they give up when they fail. But it's not the same thing when you are teaching children. Some children understand something in a way, other children understand a thing in a different way. We see kindergarten teachers find difficult in teaching children, they adapt different methods to teach them in more effective manner like by using toys or by music or by singing. But that's not the case after childhood. That's where our traditional school are lagging. Whether you are a kindergarten teacher, a graduate school instructor or an adult knowledge seeker, same rules apply. Whatever you are teaching or learning, we have to connect to it in one of the 8 ways of intelligence. In our case we considered MUSIC. They are people who understand things better when they are taught by relating to music. That's how theory of multiple intelligences can be used to improve education practices and that is the main intention of Dr. Howard Gardner.