Multiple Intelligence Training Tips & Strategies--leading A Group Discussion

Multiple Intelligence is by no means applicable only to formal mentor training and coaching sessions or workshops. In this article I talk about how to tap The 8 Kinds of Smart in a group discussion to insure that you engage everyone's participation, input, and interest.

The discussion method I want to share has four levels to it -- each matching the natural way our brain thinks when we're involved in a discussion. Ive also included some example questions which access different intelligence modalities.

LEVEL 1: OBJECTIVE

This simply involves questions about the five senses: What did you hear, see, smell, touch, or taste? What struck you? What really grabbed your attention? This is the level of getting clear on what are the basic facts, figures, people involved, statistics, etc. related to the discussion topic.

Example of intelligence tapping questions you could ask at this level:

* What did you see? (colors, objects, or images)
* What did you hear? (sounds, voices, music)
* What words, phrases, dialogue, etc. do you remember?

LEVEL 2: REFLECTIVE

This is the affective level. It involves emotions and feelings about the basic facts. Such questions as What surprises you? What do you find exciting? What distresses you? What would you change? help participants become aware of and process their emotional connection to the topic being discussed.

Example of intelligence tapping questions you could ask at this level:

* Go inside and share your emotional response.
* Draw a picture to express your feelings about what were discussing.
Demonstrate with your body how you feel about this (facial expressions, gestures, posture)

LEVEL 3: INTERPRETIVE

This is the level of interpretation. This is where participants begin to create personal and group meaning out of the discussion. They begin to take ownership of the discussion and get more personally invested. Examples of interpretive questions include: Where have you experienced this in your own life? What does this mean to you?

Example of intelligence tapping questions you could ask at this level:

* If you had to summarize the essence our discussion in a sentence what would you say?
* Analyze the underlying issues of our discussion.
* Turn to a partner and discuss your individual understanding of the group discussion.

LEVEL 4: DECISIONAL

This is the action level. It involves people making decisions about what they will do as a result of the discussion. It involves planning next steps. Discussion questions can include So what? What are the implications of this for you? What action(s) are you planning to take as a result of this discussion? If you had to give this discussion a name, what would you call it?

Example of intelligence tapping questions you could ask at this level:

* Create a visual symbol about your personal resolve from the discussion.
* Write a journal entry on what youve gotten from the group discussion.
* Think of a line from a song (or a song title) which communicates what the discussion means to you.