Multiple Intelligences and Creativity: Seminar With Dr. Howard Gardner

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Great Expectations of Arkansas, a program of the College of Education and Health Professions, will host a seminar for educators, Saturday, June 8, on multiple intelligences and creativity aimed at helping teachers be more effective in the classroom.

Harvard professor Howard Gardner will be keynote speaker at a seminar in Oklahoma City with a satellite link to the University of Arkansas. Elizabeth Jordan, instructor in special education, will lead the UA discussion and facilitate the question and answer session with Gardner via interactive video.

"Howard Gardner’s approach to intelligence is a significant development," Jordan said. "In the past we have thought of people being gifted in an all-or-nothing way, based on tests that only looked at abilities in a limited number of areas. Gardner has expanded our understanding of the areas in which people can be considered gifted or having high intellectual abilities."

Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences is often introduced by the rubric "It’s not how smart you are, but how you are smart." He suggests eight forms of intelligence. In addition to the established verbal and mathematical intelligences, Gardner includes spatial, musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal and naturalist intelligences. Using the theory of multiple intelligences allows educators to assess the talents and skills of the whole individual and provides a more complete profile of human potential than the traditional IQ test.

Jordan said, "It is important that classroom teachers understand the differences in people and be able to gear their teaching to give students appropriate challenges. Understanding multiple intelligences comes down to making teachers more effective."

Marie Parker, director of Great Expectations of Arkansas, said, "We are pleased to offer Arkansas educators an opportunity to interact with Howard Gardner. His theories can help teachers understand the unique capabilities of their students."

Great Expectations of Arkansas trains classroom teachers to develop a nurturing educational environment in nearly 50 schools throughout Arkansas. The Great Expectations philosophy is that when children are respected, and when they are expect to do well, they come to respect their own abilities and begin to succeed and grow.

Seminar sponsors include Opus 118, New York, NY; Oklahoma State University, College of Education; Kirkpatrick Foundation of Oklahoma City; Williams, Tulsa; Williams Communications, Tulsa; and the UA College of Education and Health Professions.

###

Note: The seminar will be held on Saturday, June 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in room 343 of the Graduate Education Building. All reserved seats for participants have been filled.