The Effectiveness of the Modular Enrichment Activities Based on Gardner Multiple Intelligences and Sternberg Thinking Skills

Abstract

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of the modular enrichment activities which were developed based on multiple intelligences and thinking skills. The adoption of the four types of intelligence as introduced by Gardner (1983) consisted of verbal linguistic, logical mathematical, visual and kinesthetic intelligences. While the analytical, practical and creative thinking skills as raised by Sternberg (1985) in the triarchic theory of intelligence (Sternberg Triarchic Theory). A quasi-experimental research design was used which involved academically-gifted students from two Mara Junior Science Colleges (MRSMs) in Malaysia. Two instruments were used in this study, the Sternberg Triarchic Ability Test (STAT) and multiple intelligence test. ANCOVA analysis and Kruskal-Wallis H test were then employed to analyze the data. The findings suggested that the integration of Gardner's multiple intelligence and Sternberg’s thinking skills through the modular enrichment activities stimulated the multiple intelligence profiles and the levels of the thinking skills of the treatment group significantly.

Keywords: Multiple intelligences, Thinking skills, Enrichment activities