Adult Learning: Book Review
by Rebecca L. Weber
Multiple Intelligences and Adult Literacy: A Sourcebook for Practitioners (Teachers College Press, 2004). By Julie Viens and Silja Kallenbach; foreword by Howard Gardner.
Howard Gardner's groundbreaking multiple intelligences (MI) theory challenged traditional notions of a single "general" intelligence. Educators of nearly every stripe interpreted Gardner's ideas for kids' classrooms. But until now, no book showed how to integrate MI basics into adult literacy classes. Rich with practical lesson plans, Multiple Intelligences and Adult Literacy does just that.
Teachers already know that any group of students has diverse talents and weaknesses. Viens and Kallenbach walk the reader through the basics of MI theory, and supply ample vignettes to illustrate how different students process information. Practical considerations—such as the pros and cons of explicitly discussing the approach with students, curriculum planning guides, and lesson plans—immediately serve teachers' needs. This long-awaited tool is a must for those who teach English as a second language or adult basic education classes.
