The 1980’s and part of the 1990’s belonged to Howard Gardner, especially if you taught Gifted and Talented students. He still pops up once in a while in journals and magazines, but the MI deal was his crowning achievement.

Remember the big thing about multiple intelligences there were the seven multiple intelligences? And kids learned things better one way than another. We all tried to peg our students to see if they learned from music, reading, math, intepretive dance...it got silly after a while, But we did it. I even remember one principal that made her faculty write lesson plans that had at least three of the MIs for each lesson. Here Jimmy, I will now teach  the times tables to you through breakdancing.

1. •Linguistic intelligence ("word smart")
   

2. •Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
   

3. •Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
   

4. •Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
   

5. •Musical intelligence ("music smart")
   

6. •Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
   

7. •Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
   

8. •Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")
   

Howard Gardner was the king of multiple intelligences. When I first heard about him there were five. There are 8 now. (I always thought that when Gardner was low on cash, he would add an intelligence. I can’t prove it.).

So he makes this big book called “Frames of Mind” and becomes a superstar in the gifted and talented world. Then the rest of the ed world buys in because they don;’t have any other explanation at the time why Johnny couldn’t read.

Suffice it to say, the whole MI thing has been pretty much adopted around the country, if not the world.

And the idea makes sense at it’s basic level: Different kids learn differently.

Makes a whole lot of sense.

But I wonder of the entire idea of multiple intelligences (MI) can be translated into technology?

I propose that there is a multiple intelligence for students that related directly to technology. I call it Multiple Technology Intelligences (MTI).

It makes just as much sense to me that students will gravitate to specific types of technology based on their learning styles, just like they gravitate towards specific types of lessons that fit the style that they learn in.

So what are the types of Multiple Technology Intelligences?

Let me start the list. I suppose that there are others, but let the discussion begin with this list:

Animation Intelligence: Student learn by creating drawings and animations.

Gaming Intelligence: Students learn through simulation, whether creating or playing.

Video Intelligence: Students learn through the creation of multimedia video content such as digital storytelling.

Music Intelligence: Student learn through the creation of music, ringtones, jungles, etc.

Podcasting Intelligence: Student learn through the creation of audio narratives.

Office Intelligence: Students learn best through the use of traditional office-style programs.

Connecting Intelligence: Students learn best through the use of social networking. This also includes video conferencing.

So that is a start. Unlike Gardner, I consider my ideas a collaborative effort that anyone can participate in.

So, what are your Multiple Technology Intelligences?