Gardner’s work has influenced the way many teachers approach their classroom instruction. There are many ways to demonstrate understanding and it is important to incorporate these intelligences when planning to ensure inclusion for all students.

Howard Gardner first published his MI theory in 1983, suggesting that intelligence is not a single, static IQ number, but rather a dynamic collection of skills and talents that are manifested differently in different people (Gardner, 1983).

Gardner currently identifies eight intelligences, all of which he considers “part of our birthright.” However, he adds that “no two people have exactly the same intelligences in the same combination.” The eight intelligences are linguistic, logical, musical, spatial, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic.