Various Learning Styles
The early 1980s saw a transformation in the theoretical and practical approaches to education, thanks to the research of educational theorist Howard Gardner. Gardner's studies and writings asserted that children are not blank slates or empty vessels to be filled with knowledge, but rather individuals possessing their unique intelligences. These multiple intelligences are the guiding force in students' learning styles, affecting how they absorb, apply and retain new information.
-
Types
-
In Gardner's initial research, he outlined the traits of students with seven different learning styles. These styles began with the two types of intelligences typically most valued in a traditional school curriculum: verbal learning style and mathematical-logical learning style. Artistic intelligences encompassed spatial learning style, kinesthetic learning style and musical learning style. He added intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligences as ways students operate in group settings to take in new concepts.
Time Frame
-
Gardner's initial research on learning styles evolved over time. By the late 1990s, he was investigating three additional types of intelligences, two of which he formally added to his original list of seven. The naturalist learning style integrates environmental observations, changes and conditions into learning. The spiritualist learning style concerns itself with exploring the nature of existence. Gardner began developing research on a third new intelligence, existential learning style or one centered upon ultimate questions, but never formally added it to his list of multiple intelligences.
-
Function
-
Learning styles do not align with aptitude. In this theoretical framework, learning styles indicate a person's unique way of taking in surroundings and information and the ways in which she expresses herself best. A musical learner may use rhythms to understand patterns or counting in math, for example, while a visual learner may rely on illustrations, diagrams, maps and charts for analyzing written text. Children can possess various learning styles simultaneously and can also work outside of their learning styles if given the appropriate support.
Features
-
A curriculum that embraces multiple intelligences is one that is constructivist and student-centered, featuring multimodal projects. Educators must value critical thinking and open-ended activities that have a rhythm beyond the traditional school approach of 55 minutes to a curricular area. Activities such as science experiments, learning centers, research projects, building models, performing, critiquing and debating can appeal to diverse learning styles, but no single activity or approach will effectively address every learning style.
Warning
-
Assessing students on activities that address multiple learning styles proves challenging. How do you grade a musical learner on a research paper, or a bodily-kinesthetic learner on a poetry reading? Many teachers use rubrics with checklists for the students so that they can assess their own progress toward a goal. In addition, portfolios can be a useful tool for students and educators to track an individual's understanding and intellectual development over time. A portfolio may represent a student's best work or it may include a succession of research notes, graphic organizers and drafts.
-
