This Tip discusses how to recognize and meet the learning needs of seven different multiple intelligences.
In previous weeks, our discussion centered around learning styles that were essentially based on the senses of sight, hearing, and touch. Last week’s learning styles model introduced a cognitive element, the ability to think, reflect, and generate theories.
The first two models focused on learning input, or how the learners learn. Last week’s experiential model introduced an active generative output element. The learner ultimately demonstrates his or her learning by making decisions and solving problems.
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
In this week’s model of multiple intelligences, Howard Gardner provides “a means of mapping the broad range of abilities that humans possess. He does this by grouping their capabilities into eight comprehensive categories or ‘intelligences.'” [Thomas Armstrong in Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom, 1994, from whom the following descriptions are drawn].
1. Linguistic Intelligence, or Word Smart.
This is the capacity to use words effectively either orally or in writing.
This intelligence includes the ability to manipulate the:
- syntax or structure of language,
- sounds of language,
- semantics or meanings of language, and
- practical uses of language.
Some of these uses include:
- rhetoric (using language to convince others to take a specific course of action),
- mnemonics (using language to remember information),
- explanation (using language to inform), and
- metalanguage (using language to talk about itself).
2. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence, or Number or Logic Smart.
This is the capacity to use numbers effectively and to reason well.
This intelligence includes sensitivity to:
- logical patterns and relationships,
- statements, and
- propositions (if-then, cause-effect),
- functions, and
- other related abstractions.
The kinds of processes used in the service of logical-mathematical intelligence include:
- categorization,
- classification,
- inference,
- generalization,
- calculation, and
- hypothesis testing.
3. Spatial Intelligence, or Picture Smart:
This is the ability to perceive the visual-spatial world accurately. It is also the ability to perform transformations upon those perceptions.
This intelligence involves sensitivity to:
- color,
- line,
- shape,
- form,
- space, and
- the relationships that exist between these elements.
It includes the capacity to:
- visualize,
- graphically represent visual or spatial ideas, and
- orient oneself appropriately in a spatial matrix.
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence, or Body Smart:
This is expertise in using one’s whole body to express ideas and feelings (e.g., as an actor, a mime, an athlete, or a dancer). It also includes the facility in using one’s hands to produce or transform things (e.g., as a craftsperson, sculptor, mechanic, or surgeon).
This intelligence includes specific physical skills such as:
- coordination,
- balance,
- dexterity,
- strength,
- flexibility, and
- speed,
as well as proprioceptive, tactile, and haptic capacities.
5. Musical Intelligence, or Music Smart.
This is the capacity to perceive (e.g., as a music aficionado), discriminate (e.g., as a music critic), transform (e.g., as a composer), and express (e.g., as a performer) musical forms.
This intelligence includes sensitivity to the rhythm, pitch or melody, and timbre or tone color of a musical piece. One can have a figural or “top-down” understanding of music (global, intuitive), a formal or “bottom-up” understanding (analytic, technical), or both.
6. Interpersonal Intelligence, or People Smart.
This is the ability to perceive and make distinctions in the moods, intentions, motivations, and feelings of other people.
This can include:
- sensitivity to facial expressions, voice, and gestures;
- the capacity for discriminating among many different kinds of interpersonal cues; and
- the ability to respond effectively to those cues in some pragmatic way. In other words, to influence a group of [people] to follow a certain line of action.
7. Intrapersonal Intelligence, or Self Smart.
This is self-knowledge and the ability to act adaptively on the basis of that knowledge.
This intelligence includes:
- having an accurate picture of oneself (one’s strengths and limitations);
- awareness of inner moods, intentions, motivations, temperaments, and desires; and
- the capacity for self-discipline, self-understanding, and self-esteem.
8. Naturalistic intelligence.
Naturalistic intelligence allows people to recognize and classify species and other aspects of their environment. Students who enjoy studying the world around them – insects, cars, or stamps – display strength in this intelligence.
According to J. Diane Jacobs-Connell: Gardner’s theory has inspired thousands of teachers to challenge themselves. They have expanded their instructional approaches and created lessons that have allowed students to access content through their different intelligence strengths.
How to Teach These Different Learners
It might be helpful if we looked at examples of how we could teach these different learners. They would then demonstrate their learning.
To Teach About Inventions
If we wanted to teach our different learners about inventions, we could have the:
- Linguistic learner talk about the basic scientific principles involved in specific inventions
- Logical-Mathematical learner create an hypothesis for the development of a new invention
- Spatial learner draw a new or existing invention showing all working parts
- Bodily-Kinesthetic learner build his or her own invention based on sound scientific principles
- Musical learner study the science behind the invention of electronic music
- Interpersonal learner form a discussion group to study the science behind inventions
- Intrapersonal learner develop a self-study program to examine the scientific basis for a specific invention
To Demonstrate Their Knowledge
If we wanted to have our learners demonstrate their knowledge of the development of a character in a novel, we could have the:
- Linguistic learner give an oral interpretation from the novel with commentary
- Logical-Mathematical learner present a sequential cause-effect chart of a character’s development
- Spatial learner develop a flow chart or series of sketches showing the rise and fall of the character
- Bodily-Kinesthetic learner act out the role from the beginning of the novel to the end, showing the changes
- Musical learner present the development of character as a musical score
- Interpersonal learner discuss the underlying motives and moods relating to development
- Intrapersonal learner relate the character’s development to the learner’s own life history
Imagine how rich this multi-sensory learning experience would be for all learners!