Intelligence and Thinking Patterns

Summary of Intelligence and Thinking Patterns

Originally intelligence would be considered as a simple concept in past. For all intents and purposes it would be understood as the “ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills” (Oxford Dictionaries, 2015). However, it became clear that “intelligence development” was as complex as the other areas of development. There are more components dedicated towards the development of learning, including the different aspects of intelligence; such looking at different aspects of the mind, which are the “analytical, practical, and creative” pieces.

At the same time there are important theories within the metacomponents of intelligence development. Those theories include:

1) Componential intelligence – The traditional notion of intelligence that focuses on “abstract thinking and logical reasoning”.

2) Experiential intelligence – Refers to creativity and the ability to develop divergent thinking.

3) Contextual intelligence – The ability to understand the environment around an individual (The Second Principle, 2015).

It is apparent that these components of intelligence are important to address. The reason is that they represent the different methods that people use to cope in the environment that they are placed in. This is important to take into consideration when developing teaching strategies for students.

One crucial theory for intelligence development is known as “Bloom’s Taxonomy”. “Bloom’s Taxonomy” is a hierarchical learning model that consists of six different cognitive levels of learning. The model is as follows, from the least important to most significant: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating and creating (Forehand, 2014). These six cognitive levels makes “Bloom’s Taxonomy” important as it requires the students to achieve one level before they proceed to the next one. This, in turn, makes “Bloom’s Taxonomy” a necessity for teachers to utilize as it allows them to evaluate and understand each student’s ability to learn (Forehand, 2014).

Another important theory for intelligence is known as “multiple intelligences” which was developed by Howard Gardner. This theory refers to the “extent to which students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn” (Lane). “Multiple intelligences” can be an effective tool because it can cultivate and encourage the unique skills of each student, while approaching a subject in a manner that addresses the needs of all students (Gardner, 1995).

Teaching Strategies

Digital Tool

References

Inquiry-Based Learning: Inquiry-based learning is focused on discovering solutions to a particular question or problem. This type of learning requires students to research and gain knowledge to best develop a solution to the said question or problem. Through this form learning students can best develop the components for their “intelligence”, as it allows them to focus on finding the necessary knowledge through divergent thinking, while adapting to the environment caused by the question or problem.

Observational Learning: Observational learning can be useful when expanding on the multiple levels of a student’s “intelligence”, especially when it helps fulfill the requirements of the Bloom Taxonomy. Students can expand on their “intelligence” through activities that correlate with the six cognitive levels of learning.

Experiential Learning: Students can expand on the components of their “intelligence” through their experience in particular situations. This type of learning provides them the opportunity to reflect on how they are approach a particular question or situation. It is through learning how to improve themselves and their strategies that students can gain the experience need to exercise the knowledge they attained.

Adobe (2014). Introducing Adobe Voice. Retreived November 7, 2015 from http://blogs.adobe.com/standout/2014/05/08/introducing-adobe-voice/

Forehand, M. (2014). Bloom’s Taxonomy. Retrieved October 24, 2015 from http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy

Gardner, H. (1995). Reflections on multiple intelligences: Myths and messages. Phi Delta Kappan, 77, 200-209.

Lane, C. Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved November 8, 2015 from http://www.tecweb.org/styles/gardner.html

Oxford Dictionaries (2015). Intelligence. Retrieved October 24, 2015 from http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/intelligence

The Second Principle (2015). Sternberg’s Views on Intelligence. Retrieved October 24, 2015 from http://thesecondprinciple.com/optimal-learning/sternbergs-views-intelligence/

Adobe Voice - http://blogs.adobe.com/standout/

"Adobe Voice" is a free Ipad app that allows users to create stories and present them to audiences in a visual manner. This is accomplished through the use of one’s voice, as it used to record the story being told, and incorporates visual imagery with soundtrack and cinematic-based effects (Adobe, 2014).

This is a beneficial tool for the development of intelligence, as it allows the opportunity for participants with different styles of learning (especially visual and audio learners) to become engaged. "Adobe Voice" encourages the user to apply their creativity and allows them to present a product that provides participants with an interesting way of learning. It also speaks to the six levels of learning highlighted by “Bloom’s Taxonomy”, which in turn better serves as a means of providing the most effective learning experience to those involved.

(Bloom's Taxonomy, with each section explained)

(Multiple Intelligences, with this chart identifying the different ways people learn)