Multiple Intelligences Understanding and Catering for Preferred Learning Styles

Gardener’s Research Howard Gardner of the Harvard School of Education introduced the theory of Multiple Intelligences in 1983 Originally Gardner identified seven intelligences Modern practitioners have added an eighth intelligence – ‘Naturalistic’

The 8 Intelligences Intrapersonal Naturalistic Visual/Spatial Body/Kinesthetic Verbal/Linguistic Logical/Mathematical Interpersonal Musical/Rhythmic

Intrapersonal Intelligence – ‘Self-smart’ ‘The Thinker’ likes to reflect, visualise, choose, plan, set goals and self-assess. They play happily by themselves, work well on their own and work hard even when they don’t have to. They may readily communicate their feelings and will often enjoy keeping a diary or journal.

Naturalistic Intelligence – ‘Nature-smart’ ‘The Nature Lover’ likes observing, categorising, conserving, collecting and recycling. They often keep pets and care for plants. They may have a little vegie patch of their own. They tend to tidy up after themselves. They enjoy gardening, being outside and like to go on excursions.

Visual/Spatial Intelligence – ‘Picture-smart’ ‘The Looker’ likes drawing, painting, designing, creating, photographing and making models. They have active imaginations, are often thought to be ‘dreamers’ and are able to use descriptive language. They are often good with mapping activities and understand graphs.

Body/Kinesthetic Intelligence – ‘Body-smart’ ‘The Mover’ is an active learner. They enjoy playing sports, acting and role- playing and like to explore movement. They will have well-developed coordination, may enjoy dancing and also enjoy modelling things and making things with their hands.

Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence – ‘Word-smart’ ‘The Talker’ enjoys reading, writing, speaking, listening, telling jokes and conveying information. They enjoy making speeches, debating and playing word games. They may seem argumentative at times but can also sit quietly and listen to a story.

Logical/Mathematical Intelligence – ‘Number/reasoning-smart’ ‘The Puzzler’ is good with numbers and patterns. They like to calculate, measure, predict, evaluate, estimate, analyse and classify. They are able to find patterns in things they see, hear and do, like to sort things into groups and put things in the right order. They are the ‘mad scientist’ type and are usually good with money.

Interpersonal Intelligence – ‘People-smart’ ‘The Friend’ cares for and gets on well with others. They will play happily with others, take turns, make friends and will work with anyone during group work. They are cooperative, sharing, organised and often take on leadership roles.

Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence – ‘Music-smart’ ‘The Tuner’ likes music. They often play a musical instrument but not always. Some just like to listen to music and use it to relax them. They like to sing. They can keep a beat, remember tunes, reproduce melodies, produce sound effects and create rhythms.

What does all this mean??? All learners have a preferred learning style that has been ‘weighted’ to suit their natural ‘intelligences’. Educators must be mindful of providing a wide variety of learning opportunities so that individuals are catered for, if not at all times, at least for some time each day.