Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences and Web 2.0
If a new way of learning arises, does it follow that previous schema, understandings, theories will still hold true? Now that we have web 2.0, or the read/write web as some prefer to call it, would it be true that Gardner’s multiple intelligences would still fit?
What I am learning about web 2.0 through interacting with social networking sites, forums, blogging and wikis is that it is all about collaboration. They are all about creating connections with others in particular spheres and then entering into discussions and challenges. And very often the feedback is instant. I asked on twitter if anyone had heard of GoogleLitDocs and before 10 minutes was up I had about 22 responses. (Basically the answer was no!) Through all of these connections I have what is called a Personal Learning Network (PLN) which is far greater and more diverse than my face to face network. Through this network I have access to a varity of media, words, images – moving and still and sound. The question is, how does the profile that I have of Gardner’s intelligences fit into this?
So what I have decided to do is list the tools that I use in my PLN and look at whether they fit the visual, auditory and kinesthtic modes of learning and then which multiple intelligences link to them.
Wikis and nings - visual – linguistic, interpersonal, intrapersonal (ning – Images4education would also include visual/spatial)
Blog - visual – linguistic and can be inter and intrapersonal if it is a reflective blog and others comment on it and you reply)
Twitter – visual – linguistic, inter and intrapersonal
Facebook – visual – inter and intrapersonal, visual/spatial
TeacherTube/SlideShare – visual, auditory – visual/spatial, musical, inter and intrapersonal
So from this list most of the intelligences are covered but naturalistic and kinesthtic aren’t. There are tools that can cater for the kinesthetic such as Second Life (haven’t investigated this yet) but is there anything for naturalistic?
What I find interesting is that the number of times Gardner’s intelligences occurs in my list and how that equates with the results of my intelligences survey. Here I have ranked them according to the order that they came out on the survey and then the number of times they appear in my list.
- lingistic (3)
- intrapersonal (5)
- interpersonal (5)
- musical (1)
- naturalistic (0)
- kinesthetic (0)
- visual/spatial (2)
As web 2.0 is a collaborative tool it is not surprising that the inter and intrapersonal intelligences occur so frequently. This is followed by linguistic and that again is not at all surprising as I think most of the places I go on the web are words and when you consider my profession. So, what does this mean?
Well so far it would seem that the web 2.0 does cater for multiple intelligences although some are very necessary such as those intelligences needed for collaboration.
Add comment February 7th, 2009
