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Theory of Multiple Intelligences
What is it?
The theory of multiple intelligences was developed by Howard Gardner in response to a growing trend in schools of focusing on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligences. Gardner identified nine intelligences that describe the way in which students process information:
- Verbal/Linguistic: Well developed reading/writing skills, sensitive to sounds.
- Logical-Mathematical: Thinking in numbers/abstractly, discerning logical patterns.
- Visual/Spatial: Thinking in images and pictures/visualization.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic: Control body movements, handle objects skillfully
- Musical/Rhythmic: Produce and appreciate rhythm, timber, pitch.
- Interpersonal: Detect and respond to other’s moods, motivations, desires.
- Intrapersonal: Self-awareness.
- Naturalist: Recognize and categorize plants, animals, other objects in nature.
- Existential: Sensitivity and capacity to approach meaning of life, human existence.
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences encourages instructors to break from the traditional methods of presenting materials in a manner suited to only logical-mathematical and linguistic learners and to instead present materials using methods that will reach all learners.
Theory of Multiple Intelligences
What are the educational uses and benefits?
- Expands the horizon of available teaching and learning tools beyond the conventional linguistic and logical-mathematic methods used in most teaching environments.
- Encourages learners to utilize different parts of the brain to work independently or together.
- Provides students with authentic learning opportunities based on their individual needs and talents.
- Encourages learners to manage their own learning and to value their individual strengths.
- Using a variety of activities encourages collaborative work as well as invidual work.
Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Can I see an example?
An example of Howard Gardener's Theory of Multiple Intelligences is coming soon! Please check back!
Theory of Multiple Intelligences
How do I get started?
- Instructors who may be having trouble reaching learners may be able to facilitate more effective learning by connecting the material with:
- words (linguistic intelligence)
- numbers or logic (logical-mathematical intelligence)
- pictures (spatial intelligence)
- music (musical intelligence)
- self-reflection (intrapersonal intelligence)
- a physical experience (bodily-kinesthetic intelligence)
- a social experience (interpersonal intelligence)
- an experience in the natural world. (naturalist intelligence)
- an emotional experience (existential intelligence)
- Add an interdisciplinary element to a unit or activity that encourages students to present materials in an alternative method such as: song lyrics, dance, a presentation, a visual display, and so on.
- Offer students a variety of presentation options for topics.
- Allow students to apply multiple intelligence thinking in the construction and presentation of group projects.
Theory of Multiple Intelligences
Where can I learn more?
- Activity Chart for Multiple Intelligences: A listing of activities for each corresponding intelligence type.
- Multiple Intelligences: A detailed explanation of the theory of multiple intelligences.
- Multiple Intelligence Resources: An additional list of Multiple Intelligence Resources.
- Tapping Into Multiple Intelligences: A detailed explanation of the theory of multiple intelligences and a quiz to assess learning styles.
- Technology and Multiple Intelligences: A detailed explanation of the theory of multiple intelligences, resources, and examples of how to incorporate the theory into teaching and learning.
- Wikipedia – Multiple Intelligences: A detailed description and resources on the multiple intelligences.
