Question

A teacher includes role-play, music, drawing and group work in a single lesson. What is this approach primarily based on?

• A. Piaget's Developmental Stages
• B. Vygotsky's Social Constructivism
• C. Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences
• D. Bruner's Modes of Representation

Answer 1

Answer:

C. Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

• The approach described, incorporating diverse activities like role-play, music, drawing, and group work, is primarily based on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
• This theory, proposed by American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner in 1983 in his book 'Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences', challenges the traditional view that intelligence is a single, general ability (often measured by IQ tests).
• Gardner suggests that individuals possess multiple distinct intelligences, each representing a different way of processing information and interacting with the world.
• Initially, Gardner identified seven intelligences, which were later expanded to eight, and sometimes a ninth is also discussed:
  • Linguistic Intelligence: Word smart (e.g., writers, poets).
  • Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: Number/reasoning smart (e.g., scientists, mathematicians).
  • Spatial Intelligence: Picture smart (e.g., artists, architects, navigators).
  • Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence: Body smart (e.g., dancers, athletes, surgeons).
  • Musical Intelligence: Music smart (e.g., musicians, composers).
  • Interpersonal Intelligence: People smart (e.g., teachers, counselors, leaders).
  • Intrapersonal Intelligence: Self smart (e.g., philosophers, psychologists).
  • Naturalistic Intelligence (added later): Nature smart (e.g., botanists, environmentalists).
  • Existential Intelligence (sometimes considered): Life smart (e.g., philosophers, theologians).
• The teacher's lesson, by including various activities, aims to cater to different intelligences:
  • Role-play taps into Bodily-Kinesthetic and Interpersonal intelligences.
  • Music directly engages Musical intelligence.
  • Drawing appeals to Spatial intelligence.
  • Group work fosters Interpersonal intelligence.
• The core idea is that students learn best when teaching methods align with their dominant intelligences. Therefore, a diverse range of activities ensures that all students, regardless of their individual strengths, have opportunities to engage with the material in a meaningful way.
• This theory has significantly influenced educational practices by advocating for a broader definition of intelligence and promoting differentiated instruction and diverse learning experiences in classrooms.