MI and Assessment

This is the area where MI can really be reinforced. Many students enjoy learning kinesthetically or musically, but it isn't truly reinforced or recognized in their eyes if they are only graded using essay tests or math problems. These types of tests are unavoidable in public school systems today, so what can be done?

Portfolios offer a great alternative to constant pen-and-paper quizzes and tests. Have students keep samples of their work throughout the semester or school year and let parents glimpse at these portfolios of work occasionally. Keep copies of writing assignments, drawings, tapes of plays or music performed for the class, and collect anything creative that the student has worked on in the designated time period. Is their writing improving? Can they make up songs to help remember material? Are they developing interpersonal skills while working on a group project? Are they developing a love for a particular area of specialty, such as graphic design or journalism?

Teachers should maintain comment logs in these portfolios as well. Many of these types of classroom interactions go unnoticed by parents and even teachers if they aren't aware. By using portfolios, teachers, students, and parents can identify, encourage, and foster the MI strengths of a particular student. Students can visibly see their strengths and weaknesses, and teachers can find out what they need to stress more in their lessons.

Other ways of assessing MI are also possible. Students can make up a song to show that they remember the order of the planets, create a map to explain the details of a historic battle, or perform a graphic math equation outside on a grid with people as coordinates. The possibilities are endless, and creativity will abound as a result.

Click here for further examples of MI assessment strategies.