Note from Howard Gardner to Users of MI:

To Users of the MI Network:

As the person who first wrote about the theory of multiple intelligences, over a quarter of a century ago, I'm very pleased to have been asked to make some welcoming remarks. MI theory has always been and remains a set of ideas about the human mind" how it evolved over thousands of years; how it is organized today; and how individuals may draw on the intelligences to solve problems and create products that are valued in their cultural settings.

As a psychologist who was writing primarily for other psychologists, I never anticipated the interest shown in these ideas by educators, first in the United States but soon thereafter, throughout the world. And I am surprised, and humble, that the ideas continue to attract educators and other professionals and workers. The best way to gain a feeling for the range of application is to look at our 2009 book Multiple Intelligences Around the World edited by Jie-Qi Chen, Seana Moran, and me.

In my own view, there are two major educational implications of the theory: 1) As much as possible, we should individualize education. That is, we should allow each person to learn in ways that are comfortable, and we should assess learning in ways that allow the person to reveal what he or she understands. 2) Whenever presenting materials of any importance, the educator should use a variety of approaches. By so doing, the educators will reach more students; and, equally important, the students will gain a feeling of genuine understanding-the understanding that is revealed when one can think of a topic or concept in many ways.

But of course, there are many other implications and applications, fashioned by educators all around the world. And equally, there are numerous questions that will arise, on an almost daily base, but how best to use these ideas. I am pleased that individuals with such answers, and with such questions, will have the opportunity to communication their thoughts through the use of this network. And from time to time, I hope to make contributions as well.

Howard Gardner
Cambridge, Massachusetts
December 2009

The practice of multiple intelligence theory is well taken in the classrooms where the strength is below 20. I am from one of the most populous countries in the world “India” and from a set up where normal class strength is of around 40. I as an administrator who has under her charge classes from Nursery to grade 5 with a total of 30 sections and each section having 40 children for sure find it as exciting as well as challenging an opportunity to get my colleagues in M.I. mode… as Dr. Gardner said focus on individualized teaching as well as use a variety of approaches while presenting a topic. It indeed is a task which I request inputs and suggestions for. Hope we be able to make classrooms more meaningful for our young inquisitive learners.

Hi Neha, By "strength" I'm assuming you are referring to class size? As classes get bigger, it does get more difficult to use MI in certain ways. In such classrooms we see more applications around approaching what you usually do differently, versus individualizing for each child. I have seen teachers identify certain children they have difficulty reaching or who have particular challenges -- and individualize for that/those kid(s). I hope that this Network will be a repository for many terrific ideas to use MI in many different contexts, including large classrooms. Do you have an event of some sort, or staff development, planned to address this issue of getting your colleagues into MI mode? Julie

Hello Dr. Howard Gardner, I am writing to suggest a partnership between Multiple Intelligences and School for International Training (World Learning) - on a global basis but more specifically in Muscat, Oman where they have just recently started an innovative Master program. I am HUGE fan of your ideas! I would like to be able to orient my career in education around the MI practice and research - my dream = to design educational programs and apply them in orphaneges around the world but especially in Romania, Oman, Kenya, Nigeria and Brazil. (I am originally from Romania, but having an American education)(just feel a bit lost as the movement seems to be in its beginnings when it comes to professional development) I've looked at Harvard for a master degree. However, it seems a bit unreachable for me in terms of finances at the moment. I've also looked at School for International Training for a master in TESOL. I can visualize an amazing partnership between MI and SIT in Oman where I plan to move and work as a college teacher. And of course I would like to be part of that in any form...as a Master degree student for now. Just an inspiring thought. Thank you for all your work for this humanity. Many blessings! Yours truly, Roxana Fera

...orphanages... (The perfectionist English teacher in me couldn't let that go! :D)

Dear Professor Gardner, I am a full-time mother of two children, ages 4 and 7. I've been reading up on Multiple Intelligences theory on my own, and I am wondering if you can give some advice or directions on how I can apply your theory at home? Thank you so much! Janet.

Dear Dr.Gardner: I'm very interested with opening a Multiple Intelligences School in Helsinki, but one question always makes me feel faltering, what's the most important element of an "MI school"? I really hope if u could give me some direction on this. thanks a lot! Jari