26 August 2011

Theory of Multiple Intelligences

It was proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983 and states that different people learn in different ways. Empirical studies list eight types of intelligence:
  • Spatial - hast to do with spatial judgement and puzzles.
  • Linguistic - people who learn by reading, taking notes, listening to lectures.
  • Logical - mathematical - people who deal well with logic, abstraction, reasoning.
  • Bodily-kinesthetic - people who learn better by moving around and performing.
  • Musical - people who are sensitive to rythm, melody, tone. They learn better by listing to lectures and using songs and rythms.
  • Interpersonal - people who learn better by discussing and debating, interacting with others.
  • Intrapersonal - people who learn better by working by themselves.
  • Naturalistic - relate knowledge with the natural environment.

Traditional school deals with logical and linguistic intelligences, but it is common sense that students learn in different ways. The teacher can use the theory to help students develop through using different abilities. The students can use it to study, after he or she gets to know which strategy works better for them.

Take this test to find out about you multiple intelligences profile: http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/questions/choose_lang.cfm