Educational Technology Innovation and Impact/Why use Technology in Education/Logical-Mathematical Intelligence

Logical Mathematical Intelligence

Logical Mathematical Intelligence is one of the most securely documented intelligences. Piaget [1] describes the intelligence as the ability to handle objects, moving to the ordering of the objects and grows into the ability to think formally about relationships without objects. One of the simplest forms of the application of logical mathematical intelligence is counting.

The use of this intelligence is demonstrated in the form of problem solving but not necessarily mathematical problems; it involves the act of selecting key points of information in a logical systematic sequence. Thus the investigation and analysis of data leading to results can assist in underpinning the understanding, not just taking the information on face value [2].

The use of Logical Mathematical Intelligence in the form of the usage of reasoning skills to unravel a mystery has been the trade mark of many of the worlds leading detectives. Other professions [3] that demonstrate the ability to use Logical Mathematical Intelligence are physicists, computer programmers and accountants, famous people with a high level of Logical Mathematical intelligence include; Albert Einstein and Bill Gates.

Many authors demonstrate their ability to make best use of Logical Mathematical Intelligence when composing a novel. The structure of the novel is planned, research is conducted and data collected and analysed before presenting in a logical sequence often being changed or re-written to suit the writers and readers needs.

Children’s games have been created and refined over the centuries to assist in the development of Logical Mathematical Intelligence. These include mathematical puzzles, strategic war games even word association type games all of which can be found throughout the civilised world.

The most recent example that has attained almost euphoric status is a mathematical puzzle designed to stimulate Logical Mathematical Intelligence called ‘Sudoku’[4]. The aim of the puzzle is to enter numbers 1 trough to 9 in a grid. The grid is usually 9 x 9 in size separated into smaller grids of 3 x 3 also called regions. The rules that govern the placement of the individual numbers are that you must only have one occurrence of a number in any given column, row and region. Some numbers are already placed in the grid these are called the givens. The more difficult puzzles require the use of Logical Mathematical Intelligence and can seldom be accomplished by scanning alone.

References:

[1]Gardner, H. (1983) Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Basic Books - New York.

[2] www.longleat.net/ggrow/7in/logical.html (accessed 02/05/2006)

[3] www.inspiring-breakthrough.co.uk/learning-styles/mathematical-logical-learning.htm (accessed 02/05/2006)

[4]www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudoku (accessed 02/05/2006)