MI- Chapter 2

This chapter described how to apply the multiple intelligences to ourselves and to our personal development. Before teaching the MI theory and applying it to the classroom environment, the teacher must apply it to themselves as an educator and as a learner. The chapter discusses how to identify your own multiple intelligences. Gardner discusses that standardized testing only measures a small portion of the entire spectrum of abilities. Thus meaning that standardized testing does not fully measure the intelligence of a person. The MI theory is a good model for revealing some teaching strengths and taking a closer look at areas needing improvement within the teacher. Some important things to remember when dealing with implementing any new theories are being able to draw on your colleagues’ expertise, asking the students for help, as well as be able to use the available technology. This chapter also discusses how to develop these multiple intelligences. The idea that someone can turn a “weak” intelligence into their strongest intelligence is not far fetched. However whether or not intelligences develop depend on three things, biological endowment, personal life history, and cultural and historical background. When there are forces such as these working against the person it would be hard for them to develop their multiple intelligences any further.
There are also experiences such as crystallizing and paralyzing experiences that are key in development. Crystallizing experiences are the “turning points” in the development of a person’s talents and abilities. They are considered sparks that help to ignite certain intelligences and foster their growth. However paralyzing experiences are those that “shut down” the intelligences stopping that growth. All of these things can affect positively and negatively the development of the eight multiple intelligences. But such things as access to resources or mentors, historical-cultural factors, geographic factors, familial factors, and situational factors all affect the outcome of a person’s intelligences. The MI theory helps not only the students but the teachers to understand how to better teach all students within the classroom.

One particular part of this chapter I liked was the idea that our multiple intelligences can be altered by so many different factors in our lives. Depending on the home environment, culture, background, social situation, and personal development, a person can either foster or discourage their different intelligences. There are so many different things that can affect a child’s life therefore the teacher really needs to be in tune with the life of the student inside and outside the classroom. The only effective way to help a student grow in the classroom and in their intelligence is if they can understand them.