Educational Technology Innovation and Impact/Why use Technology in Education/Naturalist Intelligence

The Naturalist Intelligence

During 1983 Dr Howard Gardner came up with his theory that there were 7 multiple intelligences. This was published in his book, Frames of Mind (1983). His theory was that there were single human intelligences that could be assessed using standard psychometric testing and these could be used within education, particularly with performance based testing.

The original seven intelligences identified within Gardner’s book “Frames of Mind” (1983) were:-

“Linguistic intelligence: sensitivity to the meaning and order of words Logical-mathematical intelligence: ability in mathematics and other complex logical systems Musical intelligence: the ability to understand and create music. Musicians, composers and dancers show a heightened musical intelligence Spatial intelligence: the ability to “think in pictures”, to perceive the visual world accurately and recreate (or alter) it in the mind or on paper. Spatial intelligence is highly developed in artists, architects, designers and sculptors Bodily-kinaesthetic intelligence: the ability to use one’s body in a skilled way, for self expression towards a goal Interpersonal intelligence: an ability to perceive and understand other individuals – their moods, desires and motivations. Intrapersonal intelligence: an understanding of one’s own emotions” Education World - Curriculum

From the original list he added that of Naturalist Intelligence. This occurred during 1996 when Gardner identified that it was a person’s intelligence that could differentiate patterns of nature

Right back from the beginning of time itself, it was the Naturalist Intelligence that ensured that our ancestors survived. Examples of Natural Intelligence are when a person can assess if particular areas of water are fit to drink, classifying and identifying which plants were edible, and discrimination between animals.

It is also linked to observing and understanding the natural environment from lakes, rivers and mountains to butterflies and birds. Charles Darwin is a specific example of someone with great Natural intelligence. He would link his theories to what he observed and analysed around him.

Gardner’s definition of intelligence was “the human ability to solve problems or to make something that is valued in one or more cultures”. Naturalist intelligence fitted directly into this statement.

A person with naturalist intelligence would be someone who took every opportunity to access an interact with multiple elements of nature

http://www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr054.shtml