LEARNING STYLES | GARDNER’S MULTIPLE INTELIGENCE THEORY

THE LEARNING STYLES

Most adult learners develop a preference for learning that is based on childhood learning patterns (Edmunds, Lowe, Murray, & Seymour, 1999). Several approaches to learning styles have been proposed, one being based on the senses that are involved in processing information.

Three Learning Styles

The three primary learning styles are: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic.

Visual learners tend to learn by looking, seeing, viewing, and watching.

The teacher needs to create a mental image for the visual learner as this will assist in the ease of holding onto the information. If a visual learner is to master a skill, written instructions must be provided. Visual learners will read and follow the directions as they work and will appreciate it even more when diagrams are included. During a lecture or discussion, they tend to take detailed notes to absorb information.

Auditory learners tend to learn by listening, hearing, and speaking.

Auditory learners learn best through lectures, discussions, and brainstorming. They interpret the underlying meaning of speech by listening to voice tone, pitch, and speed and other speech nuances.

Written information has little meaning to them until they hear it. These adults prefer to have someone talk them through a process, rather than reading about it first. Adults with this learning style remember verbal instructions well and prefer someone else read the directions to them while they do the physical work or task.

Kinesthetic learners tend to learn by experiencing, moving, and doing.

These learners learn best through a hands-on approach and actively exploring the physical world around them. They have difficulty sitting still for long periods of time, and easily become distracted by their need for activity and exploration.

We retain approximately 10 percent of what we see; 30 to 40 percent of what we see and hear; and 90 percent of what we see, hear, and do. We all have the capability to learn via all three styles, but are usually dominant in one.

The table below shows some of the methods that appeal to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Training should take into account all three styles.

GARDNER’S MULTIPLE INTELIGENCE THEORY

Howard Gardner, professor of Education at Harvard University and father of the theory of multiple intelligences. According to Gardner, each person possesses varying degrees of several intelligences. Art aptitude, musical talents, communication skills, reasoning abilities, and knacks for hands-on activities are all accounted for in this theory. Plainly explained, we're all smart in different ways. By putting theory to action, adult educators and on-the-job trainers can guide every learner toward success.

The Eight Intelligences:

While the number of intelligences is a subject of hot debate, Gardner says there are at least eight. They are:

Linguistic intelligence: This intelligence refers to one's ability not only to read and write, but to play with words through jokes and riddles, solve word puzzles, and craft creative raps and rhymes. Journalists, poets, and your crossword-loving aunt clearly earn high marks in this realm.

Logical-mathematical intelligence: A logically-mathematically talented soul has the ability to recognize patterns, approach math problems in a systematic fashion, and reason through complex logic systems. Think chemists, actuaries, engineers, and financial analysts here.

Musical Intelligence: One's ability to compose music, sing well, or bang out melodic tunes on a piano is more than a talent - it's a demonstration of musical intelligence. Clearly, musicians, singers, and composers are well gifted here, but so, too, are dancers, studio engineers, and others with a sharp sense for rhythm and sound.

Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence: This intelligence is marked by an aptitude for hands-on projects and the ability to control body movements. Surgeons, actors, soccer players, and mechanics are highly intelligent in this arena.

Visual-spatial intelligence: Creating mental images and visualizing final products are demonstrations of this intelligence. Graphic artists, sculptors, photographers, architects, and fashion designers are visual-spatial smarty-pants.

Interpersonal Intelligence: Understanding and responding to an individual's needs, communicating appropriately, and working well with others are all examples of this social intelligence. Teachers, politicians, social workers, sales associates, and community leaders need interpersonal strengths to do their jobs well.

Intrapersonal Intelligence: To know thyself is the foundation for Gardner's seventh intelligence. Being able to think critically about oneself, self-analyze one's own actions

and behaviors, and be in touch with one's own feelings are all critical elements of intrapersonal intelligence. Philosophers, counselors, and writers often allow this strength to guide their work.

Naturalistic Intelligence: The ability to identify and classify plants, minerals, animals, and even cultural artifacts depends on one's naturalistic know-how. Paleontologists, botanists, and your bird-watching neighbor all enjoy this natural ability.

According to Gardner, individuals possess each of these intelligences, though they may be stronger in some areas than in others. To provide the most effective instruction, educators and trainers should appeal to as many of these intelligences as possible.