Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Growth Mindset Challenge: Multiple Intelligences

After watching the Multiple Intelligences video...

I knew from the very first comic of the "multiple intelligences" memes that I lean heavily toward linguistic! I love to read and write, but also talk and hear other people's ideas. That's one thing I really love about this class--it's all reading and writing and sharing ideas!

I love that this class has allowed me (and made me) write a story every week. Being in PW, we're supposed to write all the time (at least every day, maybe six days a week), but sometimes it's hard to make yourself write when you don't have to. Especially after you have to write 4,000 words a week in the fall semester...being on winter break didn't exactly make me want to hop back on the keyboard.

But this class has reminded me that all writing doesn't have to be as structured, or as purposeful as, say, writing a book or short stories. Sometimes you need to journal your thoughts, or create stories from other stories, and that really gets the creative juice flowing!

And oh boy, am I a naturalist! I love the outdoors, and animals, and exploring! I think that's why The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings spoke to me so much. They're the most epic adventure stories. My favorite line from The Hobbit (quoted mercilessly by me and my two best friends) is, "I'm going on an adventure!" Take me with you, Bilbo.

I'm also very visual/spatial, as I can often remember a quote in a book by picturing where it was on the page. And I like to draw and paint, and I can usually replicate a picture really well by looking at it.


I'd like to improve on my logical/mathematical intelligence, though. Mostly the logical part of it...I can't bring myself to make myself do unnecessary math just yet. (Not my forte at all!) Josh has great critical thinking skills, and I really admire that trait. I feel like my brain has a lot of potential that I need to exercise more. I should do more brain-teasers or find an interesting puzzle book, because I don't feel like my classes are a good way to stretch that area of my brain. One, because I'm in a lot of linguistically-geared classes (because I chose them), and two, I usually look at my schoolwork as a "get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible and get an A." So, I do what I need for the grade, but I don't always let the information affect my long-term memory or challenge myself if I don't have to (especially in classes I'm not as interested in, like sciences).


I liked the point the video made about the intelligences working together...they're each important in their own right, but they function most strongly together. This is something I need to remember and apply more diligently to my own life. I tend to lean toward activities I know I'll excel at (anything linguistic, physical, outdoorsy) and shy away from my weak areas (math, music). But if I work to strengthen my weak points, every part of my brain will function more efficiently!

4 comments:

  1. Hi Chandler! Your post reminded me of something that my mom told me when I was feeling down about myself. I was comparing myself to another kid in my class back and high school who was waaaay smarter than in me math and science. So she asked me, "What kind of genius is Einstein?" I replied, "Science." Then she asked, "What kind of genius is Mozart?" Well of course music. She then said, "Aren't they both geniuses?" It made me realize that there are different types of intelligence. Just like you, math is my weakest subject (even though I love science). I liked how you embraced your linguistic intelligence. It reminds me to be myself and embrace my own intelligence.

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  2. This post really resonated with me! I'm also very visual/spatial, and I usually think of my school assignments as something I have to do to get a grade instead of something I want to do to learn something new. I'm always trying to inspire myself to have more of a drive for learning, but I just find myself so motivated by grades that's it's a struggle!

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  3. Hey! I think that its awesome that you know and feed into the things that you like the most and also know which type of learner you are. That’s so important that an individual is aware of these things in self. I read a piece of your other blog and congrats on almost being out of here and being a Gaylord graduate! Being a professional writing major must be difficult, I’m sure! I’m glad you’re enjoying this class!

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  4. Your post really resonated well with me! I agree that I indeed need to exercise my brain in areas that normally don’t get a lot of attention (such as logical and mathematical intelligence). I want to change my mindset and not only do things just because it is for a grade, but instead enjoy doing it and actually learn something from it.

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