Chapter 10: MI and Assessment

If one teaches to the multiple intelligences, it makes no sense to test to only a few. While assessment usually consist of pen, paper, and a litany of questions to answer, MI assessment seeks to prove an understanding of knowledge in any form that gets the job done. Students who learn in different intelligences should be allowed to demonstrate their understanding in ways that best suit their learning styles. Students should be allowed to submit essays, songs, videos, dioramas, photographs, anything that shows they know the material. If students are being taught to strengthen their intelligences and become accountable for their own learning, they should have a say in how they get to demonstrate their learning. Portfolios are a great way to do this, and they can be anything from physical manila folders to online compilations of student work. Portfolios can be used for self-reflection, celebration of knowledge, sharing of achievement, and competency. With endless possibilities for assessment in MI, I feel confident that I will take the time to learn and understand how to evaluate student knowledge in many different ways. After all, they deserve to explain their understanding in a way that makes sense to them.