Multiple Intelligences: The Theory In Practice, A Reader [Paperback]

Howard E. Gardner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 046501822X | ISBN-13: 978-0465018222 | Publication Date: April 20, 1993 | Edition: 1

Howard Gardner’s brilliant conception of individual competence is changing the face of education today. In the ten years since the publication of his seminal Frames of Mind, thousands of educators, parents, and researchers have explored the practical implications of Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory—the powerful notion that there are separate human capacities, ranging from musical intelligence to the intelligence involved in understanding oneself. Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice brings together previously published and original work by Gardner and his colleagues at Project Zero to provide a coherent picture of what we have learned about the educational applications of MI theory from projects in schools and formal research over the last decade.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A follow-up to Gardner's Frames of Mind (which is being reissued simultaneously), this collection of mostly academic essays should appeal mainly to education observers concerned with Gardner's innovative theory of multiple intelligences. The theory that there are seven types of intelligence, (linguistic, spatial, musical and so on) is recapped in an accessible talk Gardner gave at Harvard, a more formal paper on the subject, and a technical essay defining such concepts as "giftedness" and "creativity" in the context of his theory. The book's second part includes Gardner's intriguing projection of a school that applies his theories, as well as four very dry analyses of projects that put Gardner's theories into practice. More interesting are Gardner's criticism of formal testing directed at a unitary conception of intelligence, his proposal that college admissions officers examine student projects for evidence of several intelligences and the suggestion that various topics in school can be approached in different ways that track the multiple intelligences. Reader's Subscription, Library of Science and Natural Science Book Club alternates.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

The theory of multiple intelligences (MI) was first publicized by Gardner in Frames of Mind ( LJ 10/1/83). The arguments he presented against the prevailing one-dimensional view of intelligence caught the attention of educators who found the application of a universal IQ test troublesome. Here, Gardner attempts to bridge the gap between state-of-the-art advances in cognitive studies and neurosciences and to demonstrate their practical applications in education. He does an admirable job of explaining the revolutionizing effect the complex theory of seven intelligences has had on schooling, also acknowledging that Theodore Sizer's Horace's School ( LJ 1/92) presents a practical proposal closely paralleling his MI theory in its emphasis on individual performance abilities. This is a highly readable and interesting proposal from an innovative and ground-breaking researcher. Excellent references round out the study. For most education collections.
- Arla Lindgren, St. John's Univ., New York
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (April 20, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 046501822X
• ISBN-13: 978-0465018222
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #733,950 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Depends on What You are Looking For, April 19, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Multiple Intelligences: The Theory In Practice, A Reader (Paperback)

I came to Multiple Intelligences as a parent of two young children seeking to learn more about Howard Gardner's theory. Multiple Intelligences gave me all that and more, and I think that this book would probably be fabulous for people looking for more than I was. I found the beginning and ends of the book very helpful and informative, but the middle was a little too theoretical for my purposes. I kept thinking that it would be more appropriate for an education student or PTA president than a mere curious parent. That being said, the beginning does an excellent job of laying down the groundwork for what MI is and what all the different learning styles are. Gardner also has many interesting things to say about standardized testing, which is particularly timely given the current debate on the usefulness of the SAT. I think MI theory will help any parent striving to get a grip on their children's educational experience. MI theory has you look more at the whole child, rather than one or two particular skills, something I think we parents have known all along. It's just nice to see that this theory is given such weight.

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellence in the science of teaching but a bit redundant, April 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Multiple Intelligences: The Theory In Practice, A Reader (Paperback)

Howard Gardners's exploration of multiple intelligences has the potential to transform our classrooms. It could change the futures of students who have been short-changed with the traditional and limited linguistic/logical view of intelligence. But first, readers have to get past Gardner's lofty presentation of the material. The science is certainly there but it feels like work reading what are some very basic messages. Plus, the fact that portions of this book are reprints of lectures makes for more than a little redundancy. Brilliant messages, Mr. gardner, but a little more interpersonal intelligence on the next book if you please!

27 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was looking for, June 12, 2002

By 

Lindsay Gonzalez (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiple Intelligences: The Theory In Practice, A Reader (Paperback)

This book was not terrible, but was quite dry. It talked mainly about how teachers should approach teaching students with multiple intelligences. One thing I did like though, was that Gardner described his seven intelligences. This was more of what I was interested in. It gave me something to personally relate to. For teachers, this book would be excellent, but for an ordinary person, I wouldn't recommend it. It's wordy in the middle of the book, but the beginning catches your attention by describing the intelligences. They also give examples of the intelligences. The examples make it easier to understand and possibly relate to.