TESOL Methodology ~Ways of Learning~

Learning Journal based on Multiple Intelligence (MI)

Have you ever wondered why some people can be so successful as an artist, engineer, gardener, poetry, scientist and even counselor? Is it because they work hard for it? Or is it because they are gifted? Why can some people be a good actor or actress while you can’t? Have you really thought of why that happens?

“Everything happens for a reason”. There are reasons why other people can be very successful in their life and one of the reasons is that they know what their strength and begin to develop it as a tool in their life. Everyone including you possesses intelligence inside us. These intelligence differ from one person to another. That’s why some people can be a really good actor or actress while you can’t because their strength is more in that specific area. These intelligence is named as Multiple Intelligence by psychology Howard Gardner which is being spread and use widely till this day by teachers, scientist and the people in the world (Gardner, 2011). Now you know. Multiple intelligence further categories by eight different section which the below diagram portray.

Refer to the example above; some people can become a good actor or actress as we can observe from drama shows or movies because they are more domains in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. Bodily kinesthetic refer to ability to manipulate one’s body skillfully. People who have strength in bodily kinesthetic are majority are football player, gymnastic, and athletes which requires a lot of body movement. Students who posses this can maximize their learning by doing experiments and hands on activity rather than sit down taking note. Important note here is that all of us have all 8 multiple intelligence It is just that in some domain we have it more and less in others. These intelligence can be sharpening by practice.

Linguistic intelligence refer to word smart where the person have the capability in language sensitivity and able to relate to its meaning and use it in variety context. People relate here are poetry, writer and novelist. Students prone to linguistic intelligence are those who love to write essay or debate.

Next, Logical-Mathematical intelligence is where scientist, mathematician were born into these group. Their ability is analytically thinking accompanied with logically reason and is good with numbers. Students who can remember and use formulas are usually taken liking into subject such as mathematic, chemistry and physics.

Singers are categories under musical intelligence domain as it is a domain where people with music smart where they appreciate and notice differences in musical tones, pitch and melody. Students who can use musical instruments well enjoy some music in their learning.

Move on to Spatial intelligence where the domain of accurately perceive the visual world lies. Example can be drawn here is the late Steve Job, the creator of Apple. He started by imagining the I-phone in 3D before make it into reality. Students who learn concept by visual it first lies in this domain.

Interpersonal Intelligence tells us about a person who knows and understands why other people behave in certain ways like our counseling teacher and politician. Students with this intelligence have good social relationship among friends, teacher and community. Group work is always good advantage as they can manipulate it by interaction with their group members.

Intrapersonal intelligence tell us about ability to understand our self the most. Why we behaves this way and knowing one need and moods. Meanwhile, Naturalist Intelligence is ability to work comfortably in naturalistic environment such as geologist and gardener. Teacher should take more notes into MI and take it to their advantage to help maximize the students learning by incorporate teaching and learning activities with different kind of intelligence as above, this brings fresh view towards learning as well.

Reference:

Gardner, H. (2011). Changing Minds: How the Application of the Multiple Intelligences (MI) Framework Could Positively Contribute to the Theory and Practice of International Negotiation. In Psychological and Political Strategies for Peace Negotiation (pp. 1-14). Springer New York.