Multiple Intelligence

“Intelligence is the capacity to do something useful in the society in which we live. Intelligence is the ability to respond successfully to new situations and the capacity to learn from one’s past experiences.”

— Dr. Howard Gardner

The purpose of learning about intelligence preference is to help you think about the way you think (metacognition) and understand the best ways for you to study for your college classes.


 Everybody has a capable brain and can be successful in college, AND everyone processes information in a unique way. In other words – everyone is smart, but it’s important to discover HOW you are smart.


The Multiple Intelligences Theory shows us that there are eight different ways that people process information. We all learn in each of these eight ways, but our brains are predisposed to prefer one or more of the intelligence types over others.

Each are equally intelligent and important; they are just different. We are born with certain intelligence preferences; this is not something we can change.

But, it’s important to be aware of all the different types. This will increase our chances for successful learning, and help us understand the way others think and learn.


 What's YOUR Learning Style?

The multiple intelligences are:



                                      LOGICAL/MATHEMATICAL

 This area has to do with logic, abstractions, reasoning and numbers. While it is often assumed that those with this intelligence naturally excel in mathematics, chess, computer programming and other logical or numerical activities, a more accurate definition places less emphasis on traditional mathematical ability and more on reasoning capabilities, recognizing abstract patterns, scientific thinking and investigation and the ability to perform complex calculations.

Logical reasoning is closely linked to fluid intelligence and to general ability. 

VERBAL/LINGUISTIC

This area has to do with words, spoken or written. People with high verbal-linguistic intelligence display a facility with words and languages.

They are typically good at reading, writing, telling stories and memorizing words along with dates.

They tend to learn best by reading, taking notes, listening to lectures, and by discussing and debating about what they have learned.

Those with verbal-linguistic intelligence learn foreign languages very easily as they have high verbal memory and recall, and an ability to understand and manipulate syntax and structure.

Verbal ability is one of the most g-loaded abilities.^[7]

VISUAL/SPATIAL

Main article: Spatial intelligence

This area deals with spatial judgment and the ability to visualize with the mind's eye. Careers which suit those with this type of intelligence include artists, designers and architects.

A spatial person is also good with puzzles. Spatial ability is one of the three factors beneath g in the hierarchical model of intelligence.

INTRAPERSONAL

This area has to do with introspective and self-reflective capacities.

This refers to having a deep understanding of the self; what your strengths/ weaknesses are, what makes you unique, being able to predict your own reactions/emotions.

Philosophical and critical thinking is common with this intelligence. Many people with this intelligence are authors, psychologists, counselors, philosophers, and members of the clergy.

BODILY-KINESTHETIC

The core elements of the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are control of one's bodily motions and the capacity to handle objects skilfully (206). Gardner elaborates to say that this intelligence also includes a sense of timing, a clear sense of the goal of a physical action, along with the ability to train responses so they become like reflexes.

In theory, people who have bodily-kinesthetic intelligence should learn better by involving muscular movement (e.g. getting up and moving around into the learning experience), and are generally good at physical activities such as sports or dance. They may enjoy acting or performing, and in general they are good at building and making things.

 They often learn best by doing something physically, rather than by reading or hearing about it. Those with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence seem to use what might be termed "muscle memory," drawing on it to supplement or in extreme cases even substitute for other skills such as verbal memory.

Careers that suit those with this intelligence include: athletes, pilots, dancers, musicians, actors, surgeons, builders, police officers, and soldiers. Although these careers can be duplicated through virtual simulation, they will not produce the actual physical learning that is needed in this intelligence

INTERPERSONAL

This area has to do with interaction with others. In theory, people who have a high interpersonal intelligence tend to be extroverts, characterized by their sensitivity to others' moods, feelings, temperaments and motivations, and their ability to cooperate in order to work as part of a group.

They communicate effectively and empathize easily with others, and may be either leaders or followers. They typically learn best by working with others and often enjoy discussion and debate.

Careers that suit those with this intelligence include sales, politicians, managers, teachers and social workers.

MUSICAL/RHYTMIC

This area has to do with sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones, and music.

 People with a high musical intelligence normally have good pitch and may even have absolute pitch, and are able to sing, play musical instruments, and compose music. Since there is a strong auditory component to this intelligence, those who are strongest in it may learn best via lecture.

Language skills are typically highly developed in those whose base intelligence is musical. In addition, they will sometimes use songs or rhythms to learn.

They have sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, meter, tone, melody or timbre.

NATURALIST

This area has to do with nurturing and relating information to one’s natural surroundings.
 Examples include classifying natural forms such as animal and plant species and rocks and mountain types; and the applied knowledge of nature in farming, mining, etc.
 Careers which suit those with this intelligence include naturalists, farmers and gardeners.

Multiple Intelligence Assessment

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Learning Styles

What are the types of learning styles?

Visual Learners:

learn through seeing...    

                .

These learners need to see the teacher's body language and facial expression to fully understand the content of a lesson. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs.  During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.

Auditory Learners:

 
learn through listening...

They learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading









Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners:

learn through , moving, doing and touching...
   
Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

    Your learning styles have more influence than you may realize. Your preferred styles guide the way you learn. They also change the way you internally represent experiences, the way you recall information, and even the words you choose.
Research shows us that each learning style uses different parts of the brain. By involving more of the brain during learning, we remember more of what we learn. Researchers using brain-imaging technologies have been able to find out the key areas of the brain responsible for each learning style.

What's YOUR Learning Style?

---

Purpose:

To learn about learning styles. To understand the differences between auditory, visual and kinesthetic learners To identify your own learning style

 
 
   There are three basic types of learning styles. The three most common are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. To learn, we depend on our senses to process the information around us. Most people tend to use one of their senses more than the others. Today's lesson will help you determine which of these learning styles you rely on the most.
There is a series of 16 questions that are related to the three main learning styles. Read the question and select the answer that closest fits your answer. Don't think about the questions too much. Go with your first choice. After you answer each of these questions, just click on the submit button at the bottom of the page.

If you are connected to the internet, the computer will evaluate the results and display how many of each answer you selected.
Once the computer has evaluated your answers, it will show your primary learning style. Sometimes people have two or three that all have about the same number of choices. Some people depend on two or more types of learning styles.
It is not unusual to use different learning styles for different tasks. That's why people can respond so differently to the same thing.
 
 
Take the inventory and see your results.
 
See the summary of the different learning styles.
Understanding and identifying the different styles. 
        

Processing Suggestions:

How could knowing your Multiple Intelligences and learning style be of benefit to you, personally? How can it be helpful in your interactions with others? How do you think this could help you in your studies? How do you think this could help you in lectures? How do you think this could help you in note taking?

Adapted from Instructor Magazine, 8-89

copyright 2009 1540628