Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences
In 1983, educational theorist Howard Gardner finished his study, "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences." This work proved to be monumentally influential in the field of education, because it eschewed the prevalent theory that children's minds are blank slates for a more nuanced philosophical framework concerning children's natural intelligences. These multiple intelligences represent a child's innate strengths and interests and affect the way they absorb and retain information.
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Types
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Howard Gardner initially developed a list of seven multiple intelligences. The first two, linguistic intelligence and mathematical or logical intelligence, are typically valued the most highly in traditional schools. The next three, musical intelligence, kinesthetic intelligence and spatial intelligence, are associated with creative learners. The final two, interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences, concern personal approaches to social learning.
Function
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The multiple intelligences underscore how an individual perceives the world. A linguistic learner absorbs information through words, while an interpersonal learner prefers social interaction and group work. Educators that use holistic, student-centered curricular activities integrate practices that address multiple learning styles. They may reinforce a concept with music, dance, visuals, charts, discovery activities or reflective writing.
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Misconceptions
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While some students may clearly be artists and others mathematicians, the principles of multiple intelligences argue that one person typically possesses diverse learning styles. A student may take in information best when it's paired with rhythm, rhyme or song, but illustrations, graphic organizers and reading will also interest him.
Effects
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Applying theories of multiple intelligences in the classroom promotes critical thinking and motivates students. The nature of a classroom that addresses diverse learning styles is one that is more open, inquisitive, active and spontaneous. Educators find many teachable moments as students interpret data or express themselves through their unique viewpoints.
Warning
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Assessment in a multiple intelligences classroom is no simple feat. With diverse, discovery-oriented activities, each student expresses himself in a unique way, and determining levels of mastery can be challenging. Some teachers use rubrics with project-long goals presented in a checklist format to which students can refer while working. Another classic approach to assessing open-ended learning involves using portfolios. Educators may have students retain their best work samples in a folder or, conversely, file a series of graphic organizers, research notes and drafts to demonstrate the evolution of a specific project.
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