What is Multiple Intelligences Theory and how can it help your child?
Multiple Intelligences Theory was first suggested by Dr. Howard Gardner in 1983, and pedagogy has never been the same since then. Put simply, it states that there are certain areas of study that a person has a high aptitude for, such as Music, Language, Math, Kinesthetics, or Visualization and Design. Though we may be proficient in many areas, these aptitudes impact how we process information and dictate our learning styles.
Aural: Aural learners are extremely skilled in audio and musical fields. These learners learn best through listening, whether by lectures or musical mnemonics.
Visual: Visual learners are adept at spatial reasoning. These learners learn best, predictably, through visual aids, such as charts, diagrams, graphs, and infographics.
Verbal: Verbal learners are masters of the written word. These learners learn best by processing presented materials as paragraphs, or short stories.
Logical: Logical learners tend to be Math and Science intensive. These learners learn best by working out the patterns and reasons behind a particular method.
Kinesthetic: Kinesthetic learners are physically responsive. These learners learn best by using their whole body, such as hands-on methods, games and projects.
Interpersonal: Interpersonal learners have less to do with academics and more to do with social skills. These learners learn best in a group setting.
Intrapersonal: Intrapersonal learners are naturally introspective. These learners learn best through self-study.
Existential: This category is actually slightly controversial. Existential learners have an acutely spiritual understanding of the world around them and have a better grasp of theology and culture.
A good website to determine your favored style(s) which is also used by some school districts is http://www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory. Teachers and private tutors alike use these types of tests to determine how best to present their learning material for better understanding. Most people actually have a combination of learning styles, such as visual/kinesthetic/interpersonal, but determining which methods are more effective for you or your student can help build more effective learners.
Note: This post was written by Megan Ybarra for Frog Tutoring