Multiple Intelligences - What Type of Learner are you?
“An intelligence is the ability to solve problems, or to create products, that are valued within one or more cultural settings” (Gardner, 2011)
Each of us can identify with being naturally aligned alongside a particular skill set. Some of us might excel at mathematics and be weak in english while others are skilled in the arts or music.
Dr Howard Gardner developed The Theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI), born out of a research program conducted at Harvard University in 1979. Members of the project were commissioned to carry out scholarly work on the nature of human potential and how it could best be realised. Gardner was invited to write a book chronicling what had been established about human cognition through discoveries in the biological and behavioural sciences. (Gardner, 2011)
According to MI Theory all human beings possess a number of relatively autonomous cognitive capabilities, each of which Gardner designates as a separate intelligence. (Gardner, 2007)
The theory of MI outlines a number of intelligences such as musical–rhythmic and harmonic intelligence, visual–spatial intelligence, verbal–linguistic intelligence, logical–mathematical intelligence, bodily–kinaesthetic intelligence, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences, naturalistic and existential intelligences. (Akhtar, 2015)
Visual-Spatial: Art and asthetics are important to visual and spatial learners, finding aids such as diagrams, symbols and maps most helpful. The saying “A picture tells a thousand words” resonates with the visual learner.
(source: http://bootstrap-mktg.com/marketing-2/humans-visual-learners-2/)
Verbal–Linguistic: People with Auditory intelligence learn best through listening. These type of learners use mnemonics to aid memory by creating a phrase or sentence made up of the first letter of each item they wish to recall.
(source: http://www.base2digital.com/how-to-listen-to-your-customers-using-social-media/)
Bodily–Kinaesthetic intelligences learn by exploring through movement or touch and are typically good at physical coordination, using their hands to build and create objects. They use their body to express emotion either through dancing or with animated gestures when speaking. (Allcott, 2015)
(source: http://rcpopart.deviantart.com/art/Kinesthetic-Learning-100560639)
Musical–Rhythmic and Harmonics intelligences are skilled at composing music, singing and playing musical instruments with sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, and music.
(source: http://learningcenter.chordbuddy.com/2015/07/11/increase-your-smarts-learn-more-than-one-musical-instrument/)
Logical–Mathematical area of intelligence is concerned with abstractions, reasoning, numbers and logic. Those with a logical mind set have the capacity to understand the underlying principles of some kind of causal system.
(source: Ralf Wendrich Getty Images)
Interpersonal and Intra-personal: Interaction with others is the core principle of interpersonal intelligence, being sensitive to others moods, feelings and motivation allow this type of learner to cooperate and work well as part of a team. Intra-personal intelligence is having a deep understanding of ones self, the strengths and weaknesses they possess and what makes them unique.
(source: http://nzoworkshop.wikispaces.com/Social+Migration)
Naturalistic intelligence is where Individuals demonstrate the ability to classify natural forms of flora and fauna in the surrounding environment.
Existential intelligence is concerned with the bigger picture. The capacity to locate oneself with respect to the furthest reaches of the cosmos and existential features of the human condition as the significance of life, the meaning of death, the ultimate fate of the physical and psychological worlds. (Gardner, 2000)
(source: http://thetutorreport.com/howard-gardners-9-types-intelligence/)
The way in which individuals learn and acquire knowledge is of particular relevance to schools. According to Gardner “people differ from one another in their profiles of intelligence, and this fact harbors significant consequences for school and the workplace” (Gardner, 2007) Howard Gardner’s MIs theory has allowed educators to reflect on their teaching practice and give them a basis to broaden their curriculum and focus on creative ways of teaching children in order to get the best of their abilities.
For adults, by discovering our learning personality, we can identify our weak and strong areas. By adopting a growth mind-set we can become disciplined in new areas of knowledge we previously wouldn’t have thought was possible.
Take this multiple intelligences questionnaire today – What type of Learner are you?
http://www.literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html
Gardner, Howard (2011), Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Gardner, Howard (2007), Five Minds for the Future (Leadership for the Common Good)
Allcott, Graham (2015) , How to be a knowledge Ninja: Study Smarter. Focus Better. Achieve More.
Akhtar, Waseem. (2015), ‘Https://Soundcloud.Com/Bridging-The-Gaps/Multiple-Intelligences-And-Future-Minds-With-Dr-Howard-Gardner’. Multiple Intelligences, Future Minds and Educating The App Generation: A discussion with Dr Howard Gardner. N.p., 2015. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.
Akhtar, Waseem. (2015), ‘Bridging The Gaps’ http://www.bridgingthegaps.ie/author/waseem/
Gardner, Howard (2000), Intelligence Reframed: Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century.