Orchestrating Multiple Intelligences

Michael Ayala

Moran, S., Kornhaber, M., & Gardner, H. (2006). Orchestrating Multiple Intelligences. Educational Leadership, 64 (1), 22-27.

ET, CO


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This article from Educational Leadership discusses the concept to multiple intelligences - that there are 9 different ways students learn with varying strengths and weaknesses. The article claims teachers do not need to create 9 different lesson plans to accommodate the individual ways students learn, but instead should keep the concept in mind to develop as rich a lesson plan as possible to facilitate learning in those areas. Furthermore, the article explains multiple intelligences can both help and hinder students. Some intelligences work in concert with another, an orator could have having strong interpersonal and linguistic skills that enhance each other. Others could have their learning processes bottle-necked by weaknesses - though students may have learned the lesson, their weak linguistic skills prevent them from adequately explaining it in writing. Finally, the article discusses Project Spectrum, which is an interactive assessment process for preschool children to provide fun activities to help evaluate what intelligences a student is strong and weak in. Another environment playing to multiple intelligences is Danfoss Universe in Denmark, a museum that incorporates multiple intelligence activities in its exhibits.

Evaluation:
This article provides an excellent base-point for students beginning to learn about multiple intelligences. Besides including a handy chart on the intelligences and what they are, the article goes in-depth on how they can work together or hinder student learning. It also provides excellent examples on how teachers can develop so-called "rich experiences" to incorporate multiple intelligences into their lessons, as well as how some organizations evaluate students to determine their strengths and weaknesses.