About the Authors:
Dr.
David Sadkar is an American educator who has taught at all levels both in school
and in college. He also has many years of experience as a teacher trainer. His late
wife, Dr. Mary Pollack Sadkar was a pioneer in the study of gender discrimination
and wrote the first book on gender bias in American schools in 1973. The Sadkers
became leading advocates for equal educational opportunities and gained national
reputation for their efforts to create more equitable and effective schools.
Multiple
Intelligences:
In
many communities, one’s intellect is calculated using the IQ test which focuses
on one’s linguistic and logical-mathematical skills and that leads to ‘IQ envy’ among the individuals who score less scores
than others. Howard Gardner says that man’s intellect can not be assessed using
only IQ tests, because man possesses multiple intelligences.
According
to Gardner intelligence means “the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products
that are valued in one or more cultural settings.” The nine intelligences
pronounced by Gardner are:
1. Logical-mathematical:
Related to solving mathematical problems
2. Linguistic:
Sensitivity to the meanings, sounds and rhythms of words and the function of
language
3. Bodily-Kinaesthetic:
Ability to use physical strength
4. Musical:
Ability to produce music and also appreciate various forms of music
5. Spatial:
Ability to form a mental model of the spatial world
6. Interpersonal:
Ability to analyse and respond to the motivations, moods and desires of others.
7. Intrapersonal:
Knowledge of one’s own feelings and needs; ability to guide one’s own behaviour
8. Naturalist:
Ability to discriminate among living things and a sensitivity to the natural
world.
9. Existential
intelligence: It is questioning about who we are, where we come from, why we
die and the like.
Hence
it is necessary to calculate the multiple intelligences, according to Gardner. He also says that intelligence may differ in
different societies, depending on cultural values. For example, in the Pacific
Island intelligence is the ability to navigate. Therefore, Gardner’s theory on
intelligence has revolutionized the ‘teaching and learning’ process. The old
pencil-paper tests used to assess linguistic, math and logical intelligence
which is less appropriate for assessing one’s intelligence. Today, new education
system follows ‘portfolio system’ which includes many practical and projects writing
along with linguistic and logical-mathematics. In this system, the evaluation
method is also descriptive. Thus, Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
has reshaped the present education system.
Emotional
Intelligence:
Emotional
Intelligence Quotient (EQ) is described by Daniel Goleman thus: “It is a type
of social intelligence that involves the ability to monitor one’s own and
others’ emotions, to discriminate among them, and to use the information to
guide one’s thinking and action.” According to Goleman EQ taps into the heart,
as well as the head. The marshmallow tests conducted at the age of 4, helps proving
one’s emotional intelligence. The children
who gave into temptation and ate the marshmallow were described as stubborn,
easily frustrated and lonely teenagers. The children who waited were reported
to be better adjusted, more popular, more adventurous, and more confident
youths. The EQ tests shows that the regulation of emotion enhances better
living. Studies have shown that people with high emotional intelligence have
greater mental health, job preference and leadership skills. The five components
of emotional intelligence are 1. Self-awareness, 2. Self-regulation, 3.
Motivation, 4. Empathy, and 5. Social skills.
Conclusion:
No comments:
Post a Comment