Return-Path: <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id j86MudG13338; Tue, 6 Sep 2005 18:56:39 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 6 Sep 2005 18:56:39 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <a05111b0bbf43c91e96b5@[10.14.3.234]> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Anne Murr <anne.murr@DRAKE.EDU> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-fobasics@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-FOBASICS:1487] Re: Expertise/multiple intelligences X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=us-ascii Status: O Content-Length: 2871 Lines: 78 I believe this has everything to do with Multiple Intelligences theory. We all have weaknesses in some areas and strengths in others. These aren't compensatory, they just ARE. Persons who are on the lower end of verbal intelligence will be strong in other intelligences, i.e., interpersonal/intrapersonal (the 'mother wit' or 'street smart', leadership skills), artistic, visual/spatial - which is part the mechanical aptitude, etc. I always ask, "What are you really good at" when I interview adults as they enroll in our Adult Literacy Center. About half respond with a blank look which tells me either that they've never considered themselves good at anything or that they had never thought about themselves in those terms. Then when I share with them about multiple intelligences (and that I'm not asking what they are good at IN SCHOOL), they usually do describe some area of ability that they possess. Others do have a good sense of their talent and are very happy to talk about it. It's very affirming for them to have their abilities acknowledged, to know that there are many ways to be smart and that they ARE smart. Anne Murr Drake University Adult Literacy Center >Michelle- (I'm thinking out loud here) >I have seen this mechanical excellence >in our learners too. >I wonder if it isn't somehow aligned with Gardner's >Multiple Intelligence theories that our learners have compensatory strengths >in kinsethetic areas for the lack of linguistic abilities? > >Jean > >--- >nifl-fobasics@nifl.gov wrote: > >> One area of expertise I have seen among >my ABE students is an aptitude for >> mechanical things and how machinery >is put together. At any given time I >> have one student who works as a deisel >mechanic or fixes farm machinery or >> works in fabrication. They are definitely >experts at this and make a lot of >> money for this expertise. We live in >an agricultural area where these jobs >> are common. Another expertise is >long-haul truck driving for this area. I >> also have a friend who would be >considered an ABE student (she can't read >> very well) who is an expert knitter. >Because she cannot read the knitting >> patterns, she has learned to knit >from watching others and making it up as >> she goes along. Again, this is >an expertise I wish I had. >> >> I think that many people with reading problems >have to compensate by >> learning with their hands and bodies rather than >with their visual >> processing system. I would venture that you might also >find excellent >> athletes, dancers, and others who use their bodies to make >a living, who >> have learning disabilities. >> >> Michele Craig >> Woodland >Adult School > -- Anne Murr, M.S., Director Drake University Adult Literacy Center 1213 25th Street Des Moines, IA 50311 anne.murr@drake.edu Tel 515-271-3982 Fax 515-271-4185
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