IQ tests are an important tool to help educators and
parents determine what paths their young children might take. The problem,
however, exists if ONLY the IQ test is used. There are different types of
intelligence that cannot be measured simply by a test. Although lacking in what
others perceive as intelligence, a child could be emotionally intelligent
or overflowing with creativity. I think that the if a holistic
approach to child development is used, an IQ test should be only a small aspect
to consider. People are not just computers that you can fill the hard drive
with information, rather people, especially young children, are dynamic and
always growing. Case in point, it is accept that IQ's change as people get
older. They can rise or they can fall. A child who is slightly delayed could
end up being the most gifted of adults and the opposite is true as well.
There was an interesting study done
in Kenya about intelligence. The Luo people in Kenya measure intelligence using
four categories:
"rieko, which largely corresponds to the Western idea of academic
intelligence, but also includes specific skills; luoro, which includes social qualities like respect,
responsibility and consideration; paro, or practical thinking; and winjo, or comprehension. Only one
of the four--rieko--is
correlated with traditional Western measures of intelligence."
(Benson 2003)
I
think the Luo would be hard pressed to come up with an intelligence test that
would measure these aspects of intelligence, nor do I think they would want to.
I think having a system like this in our culture would alleviate some of the
pressures associated with education and intelligence. If a child is a little
behind in one aspect but a little more advanced in another, that child is not
ostracized but rather praised. I think there is a lot of undue pressure from
parents, schools, teachers, governments in the US for students to achieve at a
basic level according to a standardized test. If things were like in Kenya,
would we have the educational problems we have?
Reference
I like to clip you added. It gives light and humor to the perception of I.Q. Testing. I feel that it is important to test I.Q., but not make it the sole requirement for educational aptitude. I tend to agree with an approach that includes educational aptitude as well as the other concerns such as culture, curriculum and instructional
ReplyDeletestrategies, family engagement, critical thinking and social-emotional wellness of students.
Testing is so tricking, especially IQ testing. Sure, your measuring what they know intellectually, but missing out other key intelligences that may also strengthen the child's overall character and ability to become a great student. These characteristics or intelligences could be musically or artistically inclined, or the use of creativity through imagination in a sense. I do not believe IQ tests measure imagination. However, teachers can measure this by observation!
ReplyDeleteJae, I want to extend my professional thanks you! Being in this class with you has certainly added to my professional experiences and heighten my awareness of how the field of early childhood education varies from country to country and culture to culture. Thank you!
ReplyDelete