The 12 best phrases of Howard Gardner
The figure of the American psychologist Howard Gardner (Scranton, United States, 1943) will always be linked to its Theory of multiple intelligences.
This revision of the concept of intelligence that he proposed in the 90s inaugurated a broader vision of the cognitive potentialities of each human being. As criticized as he is revered, Howard Gardner continues to practice as a professor at the prestigious Harvard University.
- Related article: "50 great phrases about multiple intelligences"
Howard Gardner quotes to understand his thinking
In this article I wanted to capture the thoughts and reflections of this great researcher through several of his famous phrases and quotes.
1. The purpose of education is to make people want to do what they should do
A critical phrase towards the educational system. Although it has different interpretations, it seems that Gardner points out here the influence on the control of motivation that the school exercises in our societies.
2. Our limitations not only enable the first vital learnings, but also allow occasional creative breaks.
From the limitation, the learning process is also built and advanced.
3. Every human being has a unique combination of intelligence. This is the fundamental educational challenge: stimulating each student in a personalized way
In this sentence he makes a clear allusion to his thesis on multiple intelligences. Each of the Intelligence types deserves special attention.
4. It is very important to evaluate intelligence, but standardized tests are not the solution
Intelligence tests can be used correctly, but they often have the disadvantage of stigmatizing and reducing potentialities.
5. The design of my ideal school of the future is based on two hypotheses: the first is that not everyone has the same interests and abilities; not all of us learn in the same way. The second hypothesis can hurt: it is that nowadays no one can learn everything there is to learn
Another famous quote from one of his books.
6. A school centered on the individual would have to be rich in the assessment of individual abilities and tendencies. I would try to associate individuals, not only with curricular areas, but also with particular ways of teaching those subjects
Here he exposes several precepts for an educational system that is capable of exploiting the capacities and abilities of students.
7. Intelligence, what we consider intelligent actions, changes throughout history. Intelligence is not a substance in the head like oil in an oil tank. It is a collection of potentialities that are completed
On the need to put the concept of intelligence in context.
8. The emergence of new technologies forces us to educate children in a different way
A no-brainer: the emergence of social networks, next-generation mobiles and other gadgets force us to rethink the way we educate our children.
9. In the future we will be able to individualize, personalize education as much as we want
This should be the goal, according to Howard Gardner.
10. Perhaps the amalgamation of youth and maturity is an identifiable characteristic of the creative scientific genius.
What is the personality of geniuses like? Gardner proposes an approach.
11. It would be convenient to have, in a volume, a synthesis of the work on the education of the structures of the mind that is reliable
A reflection on the need to combine the knowledge of educational psychology in a single work.
12. In most nations of the planet, schools are organized in a uniform way. The same subjects are taught and assessed in very similar ways, to all students equally, because it seems only fair to be able to treat all students as if they were the same
If we want an education that results in an improvement in society, it is unfeasible that we continue to address the educational experience of each student without offering a guarantee that her needs, talents and expectations will have institutional and social support.