The MI Theory: Dr. Howard Gardner

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Most believe that all students think the same, and should be graded equally. The only views people have in regards to intelligence according to Gardner (2011) is a “single, general capacity every human being possesses a greater or lesser extent ; that it can be defined or measured by standardized verbal instruments” (pg. xxviii). These notions initiated to pose the question if everyone actually thinks alike? If one test could accurately give a measurement of someone’s intelligence and help them adapt to overall society? After many years of research and testing it is believed that the Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory is the most effective teaching and educational method in this modern day and age. Although there has been mass debate over the numerous definitions of intelligence, this paper will support the argument of the MI theory as an effective educational practice while contrasting opposing views of its effectiveness in the classroom.
A Harvard psychologist, Howard Gardner is the founder, and creator of the MI theory. According to Armstrong (2009), Gardner’s main concern was those students who didn’t measure up in the standardized evaluations of the intelligence test done, objectively measured and then reduced to one number (pg. 5). Gardner was quoted stating:
It is of the utmost importance that we recognize and nurture all of the varied human intelligences, and all of the combinations of intelligences. We are all so different largely because we all have different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, I think we will have at least a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems that we face in the world (Armstrong, 2009, pg. 5).
Gardner felt that having just one uniformed way of assessing inte...

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...A: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
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