creating a purposeful learning environment
The frustration of not being able to reach some pupils until they presented the knowledge differently or gave new ways of expressing themselves has been experienced by many educators. Perhaps it was a student who struggled to write until his teacher gave him the choice to make an animated story. This turned out to be a complicated and lovely story in its own right. Perhaps it was a student who couldn’t grasp fractions until he tried to make them himself by chopping oranges into small bits.
Because of these kinds of experiences, many educators are enthusiastic about the hypothesis of multiple intelligences. As we all know, a one-size-fits-all approach to education will always leave certain children behind. This idea confirms what we already know to be true. The notion can be misconstrued and implemented in the same way as learning styles are, or it can be employed in ways that limit the capacity of students to achieve their goals. The hypothesis of multiple intelligences can be a valuable lens through which to view the process of learning. However, it is critical to understand the research that has been done to support it.
The Eight Bits of Intelligence developed by Howard Gardner
The hypothesis of multiple intelligences calls into question the notion of a single intelligence quotient (IQ). It is founded on the premise that human beings have only one “computer” in which intellect is stored, according to this theory. Howard Gardner, a Harvard professor, was the one who first offered this hypothesis. He asserted that there are many different varieties of human intelligence available. Each kind denotes a distinct method of processing and storing information.
It is the ability to process information and produce work that involves the use of both oral and written language, such as emails and speeches, that is known as verbal-linguistic intelligence.
Logical-mathematical intelligence is defined as the ability to solve abstract issues, construct equations and proofs, and do mathematical calculations and calculations.
- Visual-spatial intelligence is a way for people to understand maps and other types of graphical information.
- Individuals with musical intelligence can make and interpret a variety of different sorts of sounds.
- In nature, naturalistic intelligence is defined as the ability to detect and distinguish between different species of animals and plants that can be found there.
- The use of one’s body to solve issues or develop goods is referred to as bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
- Interpersonal intelligence is the capacity to identify and understand the motives, moods, and wants of others.
- It is also known as emotional intelligence.
- Internalized intelligence refers to the ability of individuals to detect and evaluate similar features that exist inside themselves.
In what ways are Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles distinct from one another?
Multiple intelligences are frequently misinterpreted to be synonymous with different learning styles. Multiple intelligences are a term that refers to a variety of various intellectual skills. Learning styles, according to Howard Gardner, are the distinct methods that individuals take to different tasks. Many different types of categorizations exist for them: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic; impulsive, reflective, right-brain, and left-brain; and many more. It is asserted by Gardner that there is no clear description of learning styles, nor does it provide any guidance for recognizing and assessing them. Learning styles, according to Gardner, are “hypotheses about how an individual handles various topics.”
Everyone possesses all eight facets of intellect but at varying degrees. It does not imply that a person is capable of learning new languages. When it comes to recalling knowledge, a good artist, for example, may still profit from rhymes. Learning is a dynamic and complex process. It is critical not to categorize kids into one of several types of learners. In the words of Gardner, “When one is well-informed about a topic, one may often think about it in a variety of distinct ways.”
What the Theory of Multiple Intelligences Can Teach Us.
Although additional research is needed to determine the most effective means of assessing and supporting a variety of intelligence in schools, the idea has enabled the extension of definitions of intelligence to take place. It is beneficial to consider several possibilities.
ways information can be presented as an educator. It is important to recognize that students are not necessarily innate or fixed intelligence.
Research-supported Practices
Students must grasp the variations between teaching approaches to gain a better knowledge of the material. It is critical to collect continuing information about students’ skills, challenges, and interests, as well as what they appreciate and dislike about their schooling experience. Students learn about fractions in several contexts and with a range of senses, including musical notes, flower petals, and poetic meters, which are supported by research. Specifically:
When students have many access points to content, they learn more effectively (Hattie 2011, 2011).
Students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in a variety of contexts and settings. This improves student engagement and learning while also providing teachers with a better grasp of students’ abilities (Darling Hammond, 2010).
Thomasson (2014) asserts that instruction should include as much detail regarding students’ strengths, limitations, and opportunities for growth as feasible to maximize student success.
A scientific study may be conducted that will elaborate on theories such as multiple intelligences, learning styles, or another hypothesis, as our insatiable curiosity about learning continues to grow. If you want to understand more about student learning, check out our Brain-Based Learning topic page.