Multiple Intelligences in Kabul
- Rachel Pearce
- Oct 21, 2017
- 2 min read
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This morning I came across an interesting article which was very relevant to my vision for my FLS. The article was written by the founder of Teachers Without Boarders, Fred Mednick who wrote about his experience of teaching teachers in Kabul, Afghanistan about Gardner's Multiple Intelligence theory and how it could be implemented in their classes.
The teachers Mr Mednick worked with during his time in Kabul seemed to be excited by the concept however, brought up an interesting issue not first considered by Mednick, or myself for that matter. The teachers raised concerns about introducing such a theory in education into a country so strict with their education procedures, that perhaps in some parts of the country the practice of this theory would be deemed not legal. It came as a rude shock to me. I hadn't considered the cultural aspect of doing something so radical in a country so strict in its pedagogical procedures and I was disheartened with the thought of having to let my vision for my Future Learning Space go. I could sense similar disappointment from Mednick when he came to this realisation that perhaps he was being too idealistic. Perhaps implementing such a theory in a country where rote learning is the preferred method is just too big of an ask.
I read on intently to see if he had a solution to this problem, thinking if he can find a way around it, then I could too. He went on to say that initially, when he proposed his idea to the school principle, she welcomed the idea and nothing was mentioned about law restrictions on such experiments so he forged ahead. I understood this as a ‘if there is no immediate barrier then it’s okay to continue’ kind of attitude while still being aware of the experimental nature of what he was implementing. I will also take this approach with my FLS. I think its important to be culturally sensitive to what is acceptable and what is not but like Mednick, if I have the support of the principle and no-one is restricting me by law to implement such a theory as Gardner’s then I will continue with my vision.
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