K-12 Curriculum Development

In 1983, psychologist Howard Gardner published Frames of Mind, the book in which he introduced his ‘theory of multiple intelligences’ (MI theory).  Gardner is best known in educational circles for his theory of multiple intelligences, a critique of the notion that there exists but a single human intelligence that can be assessed by standard psychometric instruments.  Five Minds For the Future (2006) introduces educators to a new way of looking at curriculum development and educational policy.  In the book’s introduction, Gardner wrote, “One cannot even begin to develop an educational system unless one has in mind the knowledge and skills that one values, and the kind of individuals one hopes will emerge at the end of the day” (p. 14).

Gardner describes the five minds for the future as The Disciplined Mind, The Synthesizing Mind, The Creating Mind, The Respectful Mind and the Ethical Mind.  He describes that students will need a synthesizing mind in order to avoid being overwhelmed by information.  “Most young people are not going to enter the ranks of one specific discipline.  And so educators face a choice: do not teach them the discipline at all; introduce them to the facts of the subject and let them fend for themselves; or strive at least to give them a taste – a “threshold experience” in David Perkin’s term – of what it is like to think in a disciplined manner” (p. 31). 

The final chapter in the book is titled Toward the Cultivation of the Five Minds.  The final chapter provides examples of the five kinds of minds.  Gardner also includes a section titled Resistance and Obstacles [to the Five Minds for the Future].  This is not another gloom and doom book about the changing global economy nor does this book make it sound like educators are to blame for the current state of education.  Gardner feels that educators should review their curriculum to see if the five kinds of minds are being cultivated in the K-12 experience.  According to Gardner, “Whatever their importance in times past, these five minds are likely to be crucial in a world marked by the hegemony of science and technology, global transmission of huge amounts of information, handling of routine tasks by computers and robots, and ever increasing contacts of all sorts between diverse populations” (p. 161).  The author strongly believes that in order to prepare our students for success as adults, we must ask ourselves if our current curriculum and instruction efforts are preparing individuals who are disciplined, synthesizing, creative, respectful, and ethical.  Please feel free to share your thoughts on Five Minds for the Future..
 
View Dr. Howard Gardner sharing his thoughts on Five Minds for the Future
Recorded at the RSA Lecture Series – London, England
Length:  60 minutes 

Gardner, H. (2006). Five kinds of minds for the future.  Boston, MA: Harvard Business
            School Publishing.

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