Multiple Intelligences, Ways of Knowing, Learning Styles or Channels
Word smart, picture smart, number smart, body smart, music smart, self smart, people smart, nature smart.
Thomas Armstrong
A review of Howard Gardner's intelligences: ways of thinking, how they relate to actions, media, materials, activities, some discussion points, and energy style & intelligences ideas by David C. Borchard.
Related resources - Learning theory
Nine Kinds of Intelligences
as defined by Howard Gardner:
Intelligence or Learning Style by Gardner's categories | Ways to Think | Understand deeply when | Media, Materials, & Activities |
---|---|---|---|
Linguistic | in words | reading, writing, telling stories, playing word games, | books, tapes, writing tools, paper, diaries, dialogue, discussion, debate, stories, |
Logical-Mathematical | by reasoning | experiments, categorizing, classifying, questioning figure-out logical puzzles, calculating, | problems to solve, manipulatives, science materials, trips to museums, riddles, planetariums, computer programming |
Spatial/visual | in images and pictures | designing, drawing, visualizing, doodling, imagining | art objects, LEGO's, videos, movies, slides, imagination games, charts, pictures, graphs, diagrams, maps, puzzles, illustrated books, trips to museums |
Bodily-Kinesthetic | through body sensations | dancing, running, jumping, touching, gesturing, | role play, drama, movement, crafts, construction of things, sports and physical games, tactile experiences, hands-on activities |
Musical | via rhythms and melodies | singing, whistling, humming, tapping feet and hands, listening, | sing-along, trips to concerts, music playing, musical instruments |
Interpersonal | by communication with people, leading, negotiating | leading, organizing, relating, manipulating, mediating, partying | friendly discussion, group activities, social gatherings, sharing, community events, clubs, mentors, apprenticeships |
Intrapersonal | internal, feelings, communication with themselves, intuitive, original | setting goals, meditating, dreaming, being quiet, planning | secret places, time alone, self-paced projects, choices, independent projects |
Naturalist | understands the natural world, distinguishes objects and characteristics in the natural world: flora, fauna, animals, rocks, earth, environment and their interrelationships. | working in nature, exploring living things, learning about plants, animals, and natural events | being outdoors, walking, hiking, camping, gardening, caring for animals, pets, farming, ranching, horticulture, green house, rock hunting, insect collections |
Existential | understands a nature of existence, who are we, why we die, how we got here | analyzing and thinking about things that we can't see and asking questions that don't have clear answers. | books, stories, videos, and other media that deals with creation, purpose of life, and life after death. Spiritual artifacts and philosophical use of logic |
Activities to evaluate and discuss the organization of learning activities according to multiple intelligences or learning style.
Topic learning multiplication facts.
Discuss the positives and negatives for using different intelligences to select learning activities and how an activity may or may not relate to the purpose of what students are to learn about a topic or concept to be conceptualized.
Linguistic
Have learners write sentences for multiplication facts. For example: Sally six picked seven limes each day for eight days.
Logical-Mathematical
- Have learners construct a concrete representation for a concept or process in mathematics.
- Have learners write a song about a concept or process in mathematics.
- Have learners construct multiplication bean papers. For example write 3X4 = 12 on the board and explain that multiplication is simply repeated addition. Have them put three large circles on with four bean's in each circle. Then count the bean's and write 3 X 4 = 12. Glue the beans to the paper...
Spatial/visual
Have learners pick a fact or two that they are having trouble with and draw a picture. For example: if a learner is having trouble with with 7 X 8 the picture might have a girl with a Tee shirt with the number 7 on it standing in front of apartment 8 delivering a birthday cake with the number 56 on it to her grandmother who is having her 56 birthday today.
Bodily-Kinesthetic
Have learners act out a problem, concept, process, ... For example: For four times five have the student repeat four and jump four times then say times five and finish by jumping to a total of 20 times.
Another example: learner writes a story and then creates a tableau (frozen stage setting with learners as characters). Freeze or pose to act out a scene while another student reads a caption. [What how do you freeze or pose to act out?] Also suggests to have students discuss the skills to be a good freezer.
Another example: Multiplication baseball. Put the multiplication facts on cards with easier facts singles, harder doubles, and so one. Divide the class into... Then play ball.
Musical
- Musical or mathematical? song link - Mathematical Pi by Antoni "Ton" Chan
- Have the learners write a song about a concept, process, or generalization related to science or mathematics.
- Is this musical intelligence or science? Song link - Sounds of Friction by Antoni "Ton" Chan
- Write a multiplication rap for the multiplication tables.
- Buy a tape with the multiplication facts to music and play them everyday to help students learn them more easily.
Interpersonal
Have learners help each other. Learners with strong interpersonal skills can help the other students learn the multiplication tables individually.
Intrapersonal
Let learners figure out how to do it themselves.
Contrary views:
- They know best. [If they know how to learn it best, then why bother coming to school? or Why don't they already know them?] Maybe it's a lack of motivation, which may indicate a goal setting activity? or match an activity to their energy style.
- If learners are good at finding ways of learning the multiplication tables on their own, then they may get frustrated with group activities.
Energy style & intelligences
In the article What's Your Energy Style? David C. Borchard uses a variation of learning styles to identify six of what he calls energy styles.
The use of which he claims can help you make better choices for lasting fulfillment.
Analytic
These people engage first and foremost with rational, impartial, systematic thought processes. They prefer activities that draw on critical thinking, abstract logic, investigative inquiry, and factual data, such as chess, astronomy, historical research, and financial investment.
Organizer
These people gravitate toward activities and processes that require their administrative and managerial acumen. They prefer business-oriented, pragmatic problem-solving activities, such as managing community organizations, serving on governing boards, planning trips and events, and organizing home spaces.
Creator
These people are drawn to original and imaginative thinking that explores the world of ideas, possibilities, and associative connections. They prefer activities that enable them to express their ingenuity and intuition, such as pursuing the arts, exploring mystical sites, delving into family stories, and initiating new ventures.
Inspirer
These people are deeply invested in others' growth, development, and inner well-being. They flourish in positions where their influence, eloquence, and communal values can help create a better world, such as coaching and teaching, leading altruistic campaigns, and helping people deal with life challenges and opportunities.
Performer
Warm, upbeat, and kinesthetic, they are adept at engaging and entertaining others. They enjoy spontaneous developments and routine performances that enable them to draw on their playful nature and personal appeal. They enjoy act such as acting, dancing, or serving as coaches, and guides.
Technical
People with this energy style have a knack for work and activities involving technical operations, mechanical equipment, situation analysis, and spatial thinking. They are astute, meticulous, and resourceful problem-solvers in the concrete, physical world of the here and now. They are calm, clear-headed responders in emergency situations. They enjoy activities such as repairing mechanical equipment, repurposing cast-off items. and renovating houses and other structures.