By the end of the session, trainees will be able to:
• identify different types of intelligence
theories and learning styles
• identify the main components of Howard
Gardner’s MI Theory
• Apply multiple intelligence theory and
learning styles to their lessons
Gardner, Howard (1983), Frames of Mind:
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Gardner MI Theory
[Link]
The Theory
Gardner defines “intelligence” not as an IQ but,
rather, as the skills that enable anyone to gain
new knowledge and solve problems.
[Link]
[Link]
Activity
Take the MI Test
Take the Multiple Intelligences Test to decide the
intelligence you are strongest at. (10 minutes)
Work in groups to fill the table below
Intelligence What they are good at What we can offer them
How we can help them
Spatial (visual) Intelligence Drawing; identifying Expose kids to tangrams
shapes and colors; and jigsaw puzzles; Provide
designing; creating maps; tools (colors; crayons;
puzzles; construction papers; scissors; computer
games; programs and apps which
. . .etc involve shapes and colors .
. .etc); encourage spatial
thinking and spatial talk;
Organize trips to museums
and field trips. . .etc
Verbal
Logical
.....
.....
. . . . ..
Nine Types of Intelligence
• Verbal-Linguistic (Word Smart) – People who possess this
learning style learn best through reading, writing, listening,
and speaking. Verbal students absorb information by engaging
with reading materials and by discussing and debating ideas.
• Logical-Mathematical (Logic Smart) – Those who exhibit this
type of intelligence learn by classifying, categorizing, and
thinking abstractly about patterns, relationships, and
numbers.
• Existential (Existence Smart) - Sensitivity and capacity to
tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the
meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here.
• Visual-Spatial (Picture Smart) – These people learn best by
drawing or visualizing things using the mind’s eye. Visual
people learn the most from pictures, diagrams, and other
visual aids.
• Auditory-Musical (Music Smart) – Students who are music
smart learn using rhythm or melody, especially by singing or
listening to music.
• Bodily-Kinesthetic (Body Smart) – Body-
smart individuals learn best through touch and movement.
These people are best at processing information through the
body. Sometimes kinesthetic learners work best standing up
and moving rather than sitting still.
• Interpersonal (People Smart) – Those who are people smart learn
through relating to others by sharing, comparing, and cooperating.
Interpersonal learners can make excellent group leaders and team
players.
• Intrapersonal (Self Smart) – Intrapersonal-intelligent people learn best
by working alone and setting individual goals. Intrapersonal learners
are not necessarily shy; they are independent and organized.
• Naturalistic (Nature Smart) – Naturalistics learn by working with
nature. Naturalistic students enjoy learning about living things and
natural events. They may excel in the sciences and be very passionate
about environmental issues.
[Link]
[Link]
How can we apply MI theory to our class?
• Communicating class rules
• Forming groups
• Managing individual behaviors (Discipline
Methods)
• Learning activities
• Assessment
Applications of MI Theory:
I. Communicating Class Rules
• Linguistic: rules written and posted in the classroom
• Logical-Mathematical: rules are numbered and later referred
to by number
• Spatial: graphic symbols next to the written rules
• Bodily-kinesthetic: specific gestures for each rule
• Musical: rules set to a song or associated with a song
• Interpersonal: each rule assigned to a small group of students
• Intrapersonal: students are responsible for creating the class
rules at the beginning of the year
II. Forming Groups
• Linguistic strategy: Think of a vowel
• Logical-Mathematical: Raise between 1 to 5
fingers
• Spatial: Find 3 people wearing the same color
• Bodily kinesthetic: Hop on one foot
• Musical: Whispering a song in students’ ears.
III. Managing Individual Behaviors
(Discipline Methods)
• Linguistic: talk, books, “self-talk”, tell stories
• Logical-Mathematical: use charts
• Spatial: students drawing/visualize appropriate behavior,
movies, slides
• Bodily-kinesthetic: role play, using physical cues to reduce
stress
• Musical: musical selections, playing favorite music in mind
• Interpersonal: peer group counseling, leading groups
• Intrapersonal: one-to-one counseling
5 MINDS
• The Disciplinary Mind: the mastery of major schools of thought,
including science, mathematics, and history, and of at least one professional
craft.
• The Synthesizing Mind: the ability to integrate ideas from different
disciplines or spheres into a coherent whole and to communicate that
integration to others.
• The Creating Mind: the capacity to uncover and clarify new
problems, questions, and phenomena.
• The Respectful Mind: awareness of and appreciation for differences
among human beings and human groups.
• The Ethical Mind: fulfillment of one’s responsibilities as a worker and as
a citizen
Identifying your Learning Style
Before going further, it is important to remember that there is no
right or wrong learning style.
Each style has advantages and disadvantages. Knowing your
learning style is not meant to limit you, but to expand you – by
helping you to work, learn and live more efficiently.
The Auditory Learner
• The auditory learner MUST HEAR things for them to have
the best chance of learning.
• Only 30% of the general school-age population is
auditory.
• Generally, the auditory learner will remember 75% of
what they hear in a lecture.
• Using the auditory modality is the most difficult way to
learn new materials.
Strengths of the Auditory Learner
• Remembers what they hear and say.
• Enjoys classroom and small-group discussion.
• Can remember oral instructions well.
• Understand information best when they hear it.
The Visual Learner
• The visual learner remembers 75% of what they read
or see.
• Demonstrations from the blackboard, diagrams, graphs
and charts are all valuable tools for the visual learner.
• Generally, analytic visual learners will process the
printed word before iconic (pictorial) information.
• Generally, global visual learners will process iconic
(pictorial) information before reading the printed text.
Strengths of the Visual Learner
• Remembers what they read and write.
• Enjoys visual projects and presentations.
• Can remember diagrams, charts, maps well.
• Understands information best when they SEE it.
The Tactile-Kinesthetic
• The tactile-kinesthetic learner must DO things for
them to have the best chance of learning.
• The tactile-kinesthetic learner remembers best the
things they experience.
• Kinesthetic learning involves use of the whole body
rather than just hands-on.
Strengths of the Tactile-Kinesthetic Learner
• Remembers what they DO, what they experience with
their hands or bodies (movement and touch).
• Enjoys using tools or lessons which involve
active/practical participation.
• Can remember how to do things after they've done
them once (motor memory).
• Have good motor coordination.
Learning Styles: slideshow
Learn more about the learning styles by watching the
following slideshow:
[Link]
Application
• You are going to teach a lesson about likes and
dislikes .
• Plan a lesson that will include activities that address
as many of the Multiple Intelligences as possible.
Readings
- Harmer’s book (Chapter 3: Describing Learners – B:
Learner differences)
Reading Task
While reading think of the following questions:
• What important things did you find out?
• What points were not clear to you?
• What would you like to ask/read/learn more about?
References
• [Link]
• [Link]
• [Link]
• [Link]
18/Understanding-Your-Student-s-Learning-Style-The-Theory-of-Multiple-
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• [Link]
education/
• [Link]