How practical are multiple intelligence activities?

Using multiple intelligence activities in the classroom can be very practical. The information that can be transmitted through verbal-linguistic and logical-mathematical methods can also be transmitted to employ other types of intelligence, as described by Howard Gardner: visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal intelligence, and naturalist. Teaching material outside of traditional formats can also be more fun and engaging for everyone, teachers included, and lets students explore their creativity and utilize their strengths that are frequently untapped.

            It would be possible to come up with hundreds, if not thousands, of ways to teach material using different types of methods. For example, there are many of ways of using multiple intelligence activities in a lesson based on the worksheet about medieval Mecca from class.

·       Students draw a picture of someone in the narrative

·       Students research mosque architecture and art, then build a model of a mosque

·       Turn the classroom into Mecca. Small groups of students are in charge of researching and sharing an aspect of medieval Arabic culture (music, food, dance, language, etc.) with the class

·       Students pick a historical figure from medieval Middle East, research that person, and prepare a monologue or other presentation about their life to share with the class

·       Take a field trip to a museum exhibit on medieval Arabic culture or invite a guest speaker to the class

·       Small groups of students research how to do something from medieval Arabic culture (calligraphy, dance, speak Arabic, etc.) and then teach the rest of the class how to do it

In upper level classes, students can be given the freedom to pick what type of activity they want to pursue. A student who is interested in art could research and create a presentation of Arabic calligraphy, a student who loves music could learn and perform a piece of medieval Arabic music, and a student who likes to cook could prepare and share an Arabic dish.

References

Edwards, O. An interview with Howard Gardner, father of multiple intelligences.