In this article by Gerald Graff, the issue of “street smarts” versus academic intelligence is debated. Graff wants to make a point to show how street smarts can be untapped sources for formal educational. In this article, he is trying to make a point in how these forms of knowledge are looked down upon, and thus ignored in a school setting. Because of these thoughts, he really wants to emphasize that intelligence isn’t as cut and dry as being able to do math, or know historical facts off hand. Graff shows that just because some students struggle with their academics doesn’t mean they are not smart in their own right. I really agreed with this point as I see ways to bring in these elements of alternative knowledge into the classroom to create interest and better acknowledge different types of thinking. …show more content…
There isn’t a great way to measure someone's intelligence in every aspect of life. There are students that may do horribly on standardized tests, yet could do things considered more practical than academic. These students that are more practically intelligent compared to academic have different ways of thinking. People can be very tech savvy, or know how to cook extremely well, both are things that can be learned outside of a formal school setting. Some people just lean towards this type of thinking better than being able to recall facts and analyze information. Although these are different ways of thinking, it doesn’t make one more valid than the other in my eyes. I think we should focus on how we can bring together these two forms of learning together to help both succeed in the