What Is Multiple Intelligence Teaching?

The brains behind multiple intelligence theory is Howard Gardner, a professor at the Harvard School of Education. In 1983, Gardner wrote his seminal book, "Theory of Multiple Intelligences," in which he argued that the traditional educational model favored verbal and mathematical intelligences, but that every person possessed several types of intelligence, some stronger than others, and that teachers should expand their teaching techniques and content to draw upon these multiple intelligences.

Types

Through research and experience, Gardner defined the multiple intelligences as including visual or spatial intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence, musical or rhythmic intelligence, logical or mathematical intelligence, verbal or linguistic intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence and interpersonal intelligence. After more study, he added naturalist intelligence and commented that further intelligences might include spiritual and existential.

Function

Multiple intelligences teaching recognizes that each student possesses these intelligences, but that they are not always developed well or effectively. Teachers can activate the less-pronounced intelligences by diversifying the curriculum. Child-centered teaching, open-ended projects, cross-curricular activities, independent study, learning center activities, multimodal work, group projects, discovery learning and authentic assessment are some techniques that embrace Gardner's theory of multiple intelligence teaching.

Benefits

The benefits of multiple intelligence teaching are many. The technique can help students and teachers develop a deeper understanding of their abilities. It demonstrates to students how they can use their strengths and address their weaknesses. It boosts self-esteem and encourages risk-taking. It motivates students to learn more and to learn deeply.

Features

The features of multiple intelligence teaching are activities that promote critical thinking. In the verbal area, activities could include creating writing, literature circles, classroom library activities, independent reading, journaling and research projects. The mathematical intelligence can be developed with projects, scientific thinking, diagrams, problem-solving, manipulatives and logic problems. Visual learners appreciate mapping, imagination, labeling, role-playing and drawing. Kinesthetic learners benefit from drama, games, sports, movement, hands-on activities and experiments. Musical learners enjoy rhymes, song, instruments, sound and chants. Interpersonal learners love group work, discussions, role-playing, partner activities and feedback. Intrapersonal learners benefit from reflection, writing, learning centers, observation activities, autobiography, goal setting and metacognitive practices. The naturalist learner appreciates outdoor experiences, recording information in observation notebooks, creating natural scenes, observing the environment, and using tools such as magnifying glasses, binoculars, microscopes and telescopes.

Expert Insight

In 2008, Onika Douglas, Kimberly Smith Burton and Nancy Reese-Durham published "The effects of the multiple intelligence teaching strategy on the academic achievement of eighth grade math students" in the "Journal of Instructional Psychology." They compared classrooms utilizing direct instruction and multiple intelligences teaching and found that the latter technique resulted in improved assessment results for students.