Learning Styles and

Multiple Intelligences

R ESEARCH indicates that different learning

styles use different parts of the brain. By
involving more of the brain during learning, we
can remember more of what we learn. Using
multiple learning styles may improve learning
and may make learning easier.

Objective:

þ Identify and describe your learning style / multiple intelligence preference, and
explain how this knowledge can enhance learning potential and assist with
career decision making.

Key Terms:

Ñ bodily (kinesthetic) intelligence

interpersonal intelligence
logical/mathematical intelligence
multiple intelligences
intrapersonal intelligence musical intelligence
learning style naturalistic intelligence
linguistic intelligence spatial intelligence

Your Learning Style and

Multiple Intelligence Preference
You could easily share with someone the names of classes that have been easiest for you or
in which you have learned best. You could also probably describe the teaching techniques that
seem to help you learn or make learning easier. Why do you think those classes and techniques
work for you so well? Likely those classes and techniques support your learning style and mul-
tiple intelligence preference.

E-unit: Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences

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 LEARNING STYLES
A learning style is a particular way in which the mind receives and processes information.
There is no “best” way to learn, nor is there one way to learn. There are many different learn-
ing styles, and different styles are suited to different people and/or situations. Everyone has a
mix of learning styles, typically with one dominant style. Learning styles guide the way we
learn, the way we internalize experiences, the way we recall information, and the words we
use. See the Bryant and Jones website at http://snjones.myweb.uga.edu/page2.htm. There they
cite a book titled Keys to Study Skills: Opening Doors to Learning, by Carter, et al. (1999). Several
of the comments on the site are attributed to this work. The website is an excellent resource
that presents study skills in a way that supports the individual’s learning style and multiple
intelligences.

Why Are Learning Styles Important to the Learner?

When you know and understand your learning style, you are more capable of selecting suit-
able techniques that may improve learning. Learning styles are not fixed; they can be devel-
oped. Less dominant areas can be strengthened.
Research indicates that different learning styles use different parts of the brain. By involving
more of the brain during learning, we can remember more of what we learn. Using multiple
learning styles (i.e., trying study
skills that are typical of other
learning styles) may improve
learning and may make learning
easier.
Learning styles are often
closely related to our working
style and to our skills and
strengths. This should be a major
consideration in career choice.
Knowledge of dominant and less
dominant learning styles should
not discourage you from pursuing
careers in which you are
FIGURE 1. Learning styles are often closely related to our working style and
interested. our skills and strengths.

Specific Learning Styles

There are three specific learning styles. They are visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic.
Visual learners learn through seeing. Auditory learners learn through listening. Tactile/kines-
thetic learners learn through moving, doing, and touching.

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 MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
Multiple intelligences are different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability.

Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences

American developmental psychologist Howard Gardner is a professor of cognition and edu-
cation at Harvard Graduate School of Education, senior director of Harvard Project Zero, and
an author. He is best known for his theory of multiple intelligences.
Gardner’s theory was proposed in 1983. It presents a model that differentiates intelligence
into various modalities (manners in which it is shown) rather than seeing it as dominated by a
single general ability. Gardner presented several criteria for a behavior to be considered an
intelligence.
The eight intelligences according to Gardner are placed in a categorized list. The list is char-
acterized by the following: often valued in educational settings; often associated with the arts;
“personal intelligences”; and the newest, or eighth, intelligence.

Often Valued in Educational Settings

Linguistic intelligence is the talent for the spoken and written language, the ability to
learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals.
Logical/mathematical intelligence is the ability to analyze problems logically, carry
out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically.

Often Associated with the Arts

Bodily (kinesthetic) intelligence is the ability to use one’s whole body or parts of the
body to solve problems.
Musical intelligence is the talent in the performance, composition, and appreciation of
musical patterns.
Spatial intelligence is the ability to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and
more confined areas.

“Personal Intelligences”
Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand the intentions, motivations, and
desires of other people.
Intrapersonal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one’s
feelings, fears, and motivations.

Eighth Intelligence, Added by Gardner in 1999

Naturalistic intelligence is the ability to recognize, categorize, and draw upon certain
features of the environment.

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 Style and Intelligence Inventories
Just as there are multiple learning styles and intelligences, so are there several style and
intelligence inventories. No one inventory is complete and perfect. Each inventory represents a
piece of the puzzle with a certain perspective or flavor. Take several different inventories, and
compile a cumulative personal profile. You may also want to complete a career interest inven-
tory. Many are online or available in the school career center.
Some suggested learning style and multiple intelligence inventory sites are:

t Memletics Learning Styles Inventory

http://www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory/questions.php?cookieset=y
t What Are My Learning Strengths?
http://www.ldrc.ca/projects/miinventory/mitest.html
t Multiple Intelligence Inventory
http://www.uen.org/utahlink/activities/view_activity.cgi?activity_id=7119

Key areas of the brain are responsible for different learning styles. For specifics, see
http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/. There you will find a great deal of informa-
tion and a graphic. You may also want to read the article by Fara E. Green at
http://www.questia.com/googleScholar.qst?docId=5001285062.

Parietal lobe
! Manages spatial orientation
Frontal lobe ! Drives our logical thinking
! Handles much of (especially the left side)
our social activity

Occipital lobe
! Manages the visual
sense
! Manages spatial
orientation

Temporal lobe
! Manages aural sense (the right Cerebellum
temporal lobe is especially ! Motor cortex (at the
important for music) back of the frontal
! Handles much of our social lobe) manages much
activity of our physical
movement

FIGURE 2. Key areas of the brain are responsible for different learning styles.

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 FURTHER EXPLORATION…
ONLINE CONNECTION: What Is Your Learning Style?
Just when you think you completely understand the concept of learning styles and know
exactly which one is your dominant style, the road can take a turn. While the material presented
has primarily asked questions about learning style in an educational setting, the following simple
learning style assessment asks questions about a wide variety of situations, such as when you
relax, when you talk with others, and when you do something new. You may discover that your
style changes depending on the task and the environment. You may think you use one style, but
overall you may discover that you use all of them. Complete the assessment at
http://marciaconner.com/assess/learningstyle/, and then describe your results using your domi-
nant style. Are there any implications you can make from your results? Did you discover some-
thing new about your abilities? Describe any plans to tap into other styles.

Practical Suggestions Organized by Learning Style

Once you understand your learning style and intelligence preference, dig further into your
own strengths. Once you have done this, dig further into the other styles and preferences. This
will help you become a better learner, and it will also help you work with other people who
may have other dominant areas. Some common pursuits, phrases, and learning techniques
broken down by seven different learning styles (these are similar to the abovementioned
intelligences, minus the naturalistic intelligence) can be found at http://www.learning-styles-
online.com/overview/.
Here you will find information on likely pursuits (hobbies and careers), commonly heard
expressions (by yourself and others), and learning techniques. For example, someone who is a
visual learner may find the pursuit of visual art, architecture, or photography to be a good fit.
That person may use phrases such as “I can’t quite picture it” or “I never forget a face.” The
most useful learning techniques may include images, pictures, and color.
Review each of the learning styles presented on this website, as they possess invaluable
information for you and those with whom you live, learn, and work. Remember, you can
develop other learning preferences. This would be an excellent site to use as an instructional
guide. If, for example, you wanted to tap into the visual learner area, this site would list the
techniques often used by the visual learner. You could experiment with these techniques and
assess whether they helped you memorize and learn new information.
Some additional practical suggestions pertaining to each of the three learning styles (visual,
auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic) can be found at http://www.ldpride.net/learning_style_
work.html. This, too, would be a good site to use as a tool for learning other styles.
As you study, be aware of which style you are using and what type of intelligence demon-
stration may be required of you on a test. Practice to that intelligence. You must consciously
assess whether the strategy you are using is effective. Use study strategies from various style
and intelligence areas to strengthen your abilities and to use more areas of your brain to learn
material and concepts. See http://snjones.myweb.uga.edu/page2.htm.

E-unit: Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences

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 When considering career decisions, do so with knowledge of your assessed learning styles
and intelligences. Career choice / job title descriptions should be searched for parallel strengths
and links, as these career areas may be natural fits. Career areas presenting information that
parallels or links to other learning styles and intelligences outside your assessed strengths
should be noted, in that these careers may require you to strengthen and develop some areas
first. As your career choice develops, be on the lookout for an environment that suits your style
best. This fit will allow you to work more effectively on work teams, excel at on-the-job train-
ing, and learn new techniques.
Use data from learning style and multiple intelligence assessments, and couple it with data
from interest area assessments, such as Illinois workNet (http://www.illinoisworknet.com/
vos_portal/Industry/en/Home/HealthCare/). On this site, you can take an interest inventory
that reveals interests by career
cluster. You can then review the
career pathways and programs of
study in the cluster of indicated
interest. Then, learn more about
specific careers in a cluster,
research the associated programs
of study, and document every-
thing with your counselor in your
ICP or senior portfolio. Career
counselors can assist with verify-
ing and documenting your career
research and can assist with spe-
cific educational and training
FIGURE 3. As you study, be aware of which style you are using and what type
options. of intelligence demonstration may be required of you on a test. Practice to
that intelligence.

Summary:

2 A learning style is a particular way in which the mind receives and processes infor-
mation. When you know and understand your learning style, you are more capable
of selecting suitable techniques that may improve learning.

Three specific learning styles are visual, auditory, and tactile/kinesthetic. Visual
learners learn through seeing. Auditory learners learn through listening. Tactile/
kinesthetic learners learn through moving, doing, and touching.

Multiple intelligences are different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability. The

eight intelligences according to Gardner are linguistic intelligence, logical/mathe-
matical intelligence, bodily (kinesthetic) intelligence, musical intelligence, spatial
intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, and naturalistic
intelligence.

E-unit: Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences

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 Once you understand your learning style and intelligence preference, dig further
into your own strengths.

When considering career decisions, do so with knowledge of your assessed learning

styles and intelligences. Career choice / job title descriptions should be searched for
parallel strengths and links, as these career areas may be natural fits.

Checking Your Knowledge:

´ 1. Name the three specific learning styles, and explain each of them.
2. What are the eight intelligences as presented by Gardner?
3. Describe your multiple intelligence preference.
4. Describe a different multiple intelligence preference.
5. Explain how you can study for a science test by using both your dominant and
less developed styles and preferences.

Expanding Your Knowledge:

L Research a career interest inventory, and complete it. You may want to try this one:
http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/PCCPinterests.shtml. How do the results connect
with your earlier investigation of learning style and multiple intelligence?

Web Links:

: Career Development and Guidance: Worksheets, Handouts, and Work-

books
http://www.khake.com/page95.html

Career Interest Game

http://career.missouri.edu/students/majors-careers/skills-interests/
career-interest-game/

Index of Learning Styles

http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSpage.html

Books by Howard Gardner

http://www.howardgardner.com/books/books.html

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