Chapter Ten: MI and Assessment

Chapter ten of Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom suggested that teachers use a system based less upon formal standardized or norm-referenced tests, and more upon authentic measures that are "criterion-referenced, benchmarked, or ipsative (i.e., that compare a student to his own past performances" (Armstrong, 88). Authentic testing allows students to show what they've learned in context, which means that they would show their learning in real world situations. There are two very important prerequisites to implement authentic tests in the classroom: observation and documentation. Teachers are recommended to keep journals, work samples, videotapes, photography, student journals, student interviews, etc. to be able to target a child's specific learning styles and needs. When the intelligences are located and specified, a teacher is then able to effectively assess a student without having to worry about whether or not the child is truly depicting what (s)he has learned. With authentic testing, students are able to have the opportunities to use their multiple intelligences to help articulate their understanding. When a child takes a standardized test, the student is forced to show their comprehension through one intelligence that may be his or her weakness. This is why authentic testing is essential to implement in my classroom when I am a teacher. Students already place such a negative connotation with the standardized tests... and why shouldn't they? Standardized tests are biased to what the test-maker is looking for in understanding. I never want my students to feel as if they never were able to have a fair chance of showing me that they truly comprehend the material that I have taught. I would never know that my students had mastered a skill if I force them to show it through one intelligence. It has already been proven that every child learns differently, so it makes perfect sense that every child should be assessed differently. If I give my students a variety of assessments, I will truly being giving the children a fair chance of succeeding and proving to me that they have mastered a skill or subject content.