In a message dated 2/25/2000 5:44:46 PM Pacific Standard Time,
rsunley@escape.ca writes:
<<
Is there any reason, short of Mr Lorrey's hypothesized assault on
rationalism, not to
refer to these other "intelligences" as what they *are*: abilities. >>
For the five-millionth time, yes. YES!! There IS a reason... drum roll
please... and ..... The reason is, (yawn, getting tired of beating the poor
dead horsey) that it is useful. It addresses teaching children who are not
normally classified as intelligent by the standards the old school educators
and pshycologists cling to. Research shows that when exposed to ideas through
different channels, students have shown remarkable aptitude for subjects that
they previously did not do well in.
By the way, Binet is by no means the last (or latest) word on the subject, he
WAS a pioneer in 1905, but YEARS ago, IQ testing did not withstand close
scrutiny, in fact this scrutiny has been helpful in creating many new tests
for intelligence including new ones for reasoning and cognitive abilities.
At least you studied it, and possibly Piaget, which at least gives your
answer SOME credibility. Piaget recognized that teaching needed to focus on
how children were reasoning rather than focusing on how well they might
recall facts for a test.
Nevertheless, while his work is lauded by most researchers, it has had little
effect on the school system. Gardner's work has had great impact.
<< What is so wrong with the word
"ability", or
so exalted with the word "intelligence", that we feel the need to redefine
abilities as
"intelligence", so as not to cast aspersions on them? >>
It is not a matter of politically correct, or exaltation of abilities. What
you think of it is ultimately not an issue. It is, quite simply, and
repeatedly, an educational tool.
The reason for redefining this particular value is the same reason those
upstartAyn Rand followers constantly and compulsively redefine the term
selfish. It is to make use of it in a positive light.
The End.
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