Gavin, a seventh grader, has more trouble in school than many of his peers, particularly with word problems in math and other areas that aren't concrete and tangible. In spite of high motivation, he still struggles, and new situations and problems “throw him” more than they do his classmates. In order to succeed, he needs a lot of practice, and his approach is somewhat more “mechanical” than that of his peers. He comments, “I need to be able to 'see it' to understand it. Some of these ideas are just too abstract for me. Who cares what caused Columbus to want to go to the Far East? I can get it though, if I get enough practice.” When he becomes frustrated, he retreats to his room, where he plays his guitar; he has even done some of his own arrangements. Gavin is very skilled at working with people, and some of his peers turn to him as an arbitrator when clashes occur in club and other organizational meetings.

So??? What is your question?

Practical intelligence relates to how you react to your environment and your ability to adapt to it or change it to suit your needs. Practical intelligence is the ability to thrive in the real world. You might compare practical intelligence to common sense or street smarts. It involves the ability to understand how to deal with everyday tasks. If you were analyzing someone's level of practical intelligence, you might ask yourself questions like: How does this person relate to the world around them? Are they adept at dealing with everyday experiences? Could someone take advantage of this person easily?

Let's look at an example using Anne. She wants to purchase a used car. Anne doesn't want to be taken advantage of, so she is prepared with price comparisons and doesn't let the salesman talk her into purchasing any unnecessary extras. Because of this, she gets a better price than the person who bought a similar car the day before.

Creative Intelligence
Creative intelligence relates to the way a person approaches new information or a new task. You may also hear creative intelligence referred to as experiential intelligence. It involves a person's ability to apply their existing knowledge to new problems. If you were assessing a person's level of creative intelligence, you might ask questions like: How quickly can this person solve a new problem when presented with it? Can they automatically apply a new skill when they're presented with the problem again?

There are two categories of creative intelligence: novelty and automatization. Novelty concerns how a person reacts the first time they encounter something new. Automatization concerns how a person learns to perform repeated tasks automatically.

Our friend Mark demonstrates skill daily in both of these categories. Mark is a spy. He often has to quickly come up with new plans to address the situations he's placed in. Part of the reason he can do this so adeptly is because of his ability to easily reapply ideas he has used before to new situations.

Analytical Intelligence
Analytical intelligence relates to how a person processes and analyzes information. You may also hear analytical intelligence referred to as componential intelligence. You could also think of analytical intelligence as book smarts since it is similar to traditional definitions of IQ and academic achievement.

Gavin, the seventh grader, seems to excel in certain areas while facing challenges in others. He particularly struggles with word problems in math and other abstract concepts that aren't easily tangible. Despite being highly motivated, he finds it harder than his classmates to adapt to new situations and problems.

To help Gavin succeed, he requires ample practice. His approach towards learning is more mechanical, meaning he benefits from repetition and visualizing the concepts. He believes that if he can "see it," he can understand it. This suggests that Gavin is a visual learner who thrives when information is presented to him in a more concrete manner.

Furthermore, Gavin finds abstract ideas less appealing as he fails to see their immediate relevance in his daily life. For instance, he questions the significance of understanding what caused Christopher Columbus to want to go to the Far East. However, he acknowledges that with enough practice, he can grasp these concepts, indicating that he believes in the power of repetition and familiarity.

It is interesting to note that when Gavin becomes frustrated, he retreats to his room and plays the guitar. This suggests that music serves as a form of relaxation and emotional outlet for him. It could also indicate that he possesses talent and skill in this area, potentially providing an avenue for creative expression and personal development.

Another strength Gavin possesses is his ability to work well with people. His peers turn to him as an arbitrator during clashes in club and organizational meetings. This ability suggests strong interpersonal skills and the potential to excel in collaborative settings.

In summary, Gavin's learning style leans towards visual and mechanical approaches. Providing him with ample practice, visual aids, and tangible examples can greatly aid his understanding. Additionally, his skills in music and interpersonal communication should be nurtured to further enhance his personal growth and academic success.