I just learned that the USC North Campus is adopting the multiple intelligences learning style in their curriculum for primary and secondary education. I learned this from my friends Derrick and Neil. They are fifth year architecture students and this is precisely their thesis. They were discussing their thesis in the faculty room earlier and I simply got curious.
The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes eight different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults.
There are different learning styles appropriate for each intelligence. Each learning style also has a different learning environment appropriate for it.
These intelligences are:
- Linguistic intelligence ("word smart")
- Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
- Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
- Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
- Musical intelligence ("music smart")
- Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
- Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
- Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")
What type of environment does the different learning styles for multiple intelligences require? How can the USC North Campus be reconfigured to accommodate this learning environment? The questions that Neil and Derrick need to answer are simple, but they require a lot of reading and analysis.
I also learned from them that there are already many schools, particularly in the United States, that have adopted the theory. They can get ideas from these schools on how they provided the needed learning environment.
I find the topic very interesting. This is one thesis where I can learn something from the students. I hope I get to watch their thesis presentation.
OMG... hehehe... =)
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