The Multiple Intelligence Profile of Grade Eight Students of Aishwarya Vidya Niketan, Dhangadhi, Kailali

Abstract

The present study is intended to find out the Multiple Intelligence (MI) profile of 268 Grade Eight students of Aishwarya Vidya Niketan, Dhangadhi, Kailali, Nepal. A 40-item MI Inventory based on Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences with a 5-point Likert scale was used in a quantitative survey research design. The study aimed to identify dominant and dormant intelligences among students. Naturalistic Intelligence was found to be the highest among students (Mean = 20.75) followed by Intrapersonal (Mean = 19.51) and Bodily-Kinesthetic (Mean = 19.34) intelligences. Linguistic intelligence was the least developed (Mean = 16.32). The data showed that students have more than one dominant intelligence at the same time. There was a positive correlation between each pair of intelligences. The strongest correlations were between Logical-Mathematical and Spatial (r = .49) and between Linguistic and Logical-Mathematical (r = .47). This explained the multidimensionality and interrelationship of human intelligences. Inferential analysis indicated significant differences between genders in Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, and Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligences. However, no significant difference was observed among the studied major ethnic groups (Brahmin, Chhetri, and Janajati). The study suggests substituting the traditional lecture-based and language-loaded instructional processes with experiential, nature-based, self-reflective, and activity-oriented learning