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the NCTM Standards and Multiple Intelligences Theory
Posted:
Mar 5, 2000 3:11 PM
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To Whom it May Concern,
I am a student at Villanova University in an independent study project
with Professor Alice Deanin. I am studying Howard Gardner's Theory of
Multiple Intelligences and how this theory has affected the teaching
of mathematics in elementary education. Studying the NCTM standards
for grades Pre K-2 that are posted on this web page, I was unable to
identify standards that involved the intrapersonal intelligence. The
intrapersonal intelligence refers to having an understanding of
oneself. I found many points throughout the standards that spoke to
the logical mathematical, linguistic, visual/spatial, kinesthetic,
interpersonal and even the musical intelligence. However, I was very
surprised that I was unable to find any direct reference to the
intrapersonal intelligence.
The standards seem up to date and progressive. I was encouraged that I
was able to locate references to the intelligences that I mentioned
earlier in the standards themselves and in the discussion that follows
each standard. But, I feel that it is extremely important that
teachers incorporate the intrapersonal intelligence into math learning
by giving students the opportunity to determine and express the way
that they think and feel about the subject matter. The negative
attitude about mathematics that pervades our country is often derived
from the inability to look at the way we are learning and to express
the way we are feeling about it. One technique to integrate the
intrapersonal intelligence into the teaching of mathematics is to ask
students to keep a math journal. This way students can express any
problems or frustrations they may be having and teachers are able to
keep abreast of these situations which will help the teachers address
them more effectively.
While I feel that the standards have addressed much of Howard
Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, they appear to lack
adequate direct reference to the intrapersonal intelligence. Any
comments or clarifications would be appreciated. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Cathleen Gannon
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