How Do You Measure Intelligence?

You don’t and you can’t according to Ken Robinson.  In February 2006, Ken Robinson led a TED Talk on how education systems stifle kids’ creativity.  Ken Robinson argues that intelligence is diverse, it’s dynamic, and distinct. It’s actually really incredible how diverse intelligence is—people think visually, in sound, in movement, in abstract forms, etc. Intelligence is not just demonstrated in mathematics or languages, but it is present in the arts, humanities, and other areas of study which tend to be lower on the totem pole of intelligence.  We shouldn’t just focus on students’ heads, but focus on educating their whole being.
Ken Robinson argues that the education system that has largely affected our lives, was the system of the nineteenth century which sought to meet the needs of industrialism. The education system since then has continued to place importance on the academic subjects such as math and languages since they are the subjects which can ‘get’ people jobs. Many adults and young people today have been influenced by this—that they need to take certain academic courses to get a job or that they need to do well in a certain course to be deemed intelligent, which is definitely not the case. Robinson states that all kids have tremendous talent and that the education system should nurture creativity. As teachers, we need to take a look what this means and re-think our view of intelligence for our students. Kids have so many diverse talents and it’s important to encourage those gifts; to discover with students the possibilities open to them.
In tying this into technology, technology can definitely be used to enhance children’s creativity.  Technology creates so many options! However, it’s important that teachers do not solely rely upon technology because then we’re falling into the trap of Harry Chopin’s song, ‘Flowers are Red’ by limiting ourselves to one way of thinking and working; just like limiting one way we think or draw flowers.  Creativity is important and there are so ways that it can be expressed. Technology provides great means of expressing creativity, but there are many other ways for teachers and students to demonstrate creativity.
It’s something to think about for sure. I think part of the reason why I really want to advocate the importance of creativity is because I'm a music student who does not have a strong skill set in mathematics or languages. Throughout elementary school and high school, I based my and others' intelligence upon one's strength in the 'most important' subjects of the heirarchy. I felt pressured to do well in those certain academic subjects, even though music and other art courses were of much more interest to me. I have a feeling that other students feel this way and I think it's important that they are aware of the importance of their own gifts and own intelligence which is incredibly valuable.
 I don’t know if we can come up with specific answers right away on this topic, but it’s something to think about and be aware of. Just like Ken Robinson encourages his Ted Talk audience, I think it is important for teachers to re-think our way about intelligence because it encompasses so much.
TED Talk: Ken Robinson
Flowers are Red by Harrry Chapin