Learning Styles Assignment

Kyle Hoffman
T&L 466
September 6, 2007
Learning Styles

Personal Talents

The learning style I chose to cover is Personal Talents, which is essentially Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory. In the early 80’s, Gardner first talked about his theory of Multiple Intelligences in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The Multiple Intelligences essentially are seven styles of learning, in which each person differentiates in which style best fits them. The varied types of Multiple Intelligences include: Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Spatial, Musical, Interpersonal, and Intrapersonal. The URL to access Gardner’s seven intelligences is: http://www.professorlamp.com/ed/TAG/7_Intelligences.html
As opposed to an IQ exam, the Multiple Intelligences theory gives us a more in-depth understanding of why certain youth excel in one subject, and maybe fall a bit behind in another. Children learn at different levels, so it is important to gain an understanding of the isolated learning style that best suits him/her. A child who learns best with the “Linguistic” skill set is more likely to enjoy reading, writing, stories, and puzzles. They enjoy these activities; therefore they are going to excel in the classroom with this aspect of learning. Kids who learn best with the “Logical-Mathematical” skill set are more likely to enjoy math, strategy games, and experiments. These children like organization, categories, patterns, and other types of relationships within a logical realm. Again, since they enjoy these types of activities and aspects of learning, they will find success in them.
The “Bodily-Kinesthetic” learning style is for kids who process information through hands-on activities and repetition. These children are usually athletes, dancers, and they are keen at wood-working and other crafts. Along the same lines as Bodily-Kinesthetic, the “Spatial” learner is aware, but creates pictures or images to create a thought. They take a liking to jigsaw puzzles and building using Lego’s, to name a couple activities. They are very imaginative daydreamers that tend to use art more often than not. The “Musical” learner uses sound as a way to intake information. They are often drumming and singing to themselves or in their head and can distinctly pick out various sounds in a given realm. Rhythm is a great organizational tool to help kids understand structure and piecing things together to create something.
The last two intelligences are “Interpersonal,” and “Intrapersonal.” Interpersonal learners are leaders that take initiative and communicate ideas well among their peers. These children are people person’s; they enjoy the company of others and working with them as well. As opposed to Interpersonal, Intrapersonal learners are often shy and reserved. They are very self-motivated, and aware of their feelings at any particular time. This does not mean that they do not like people per say, it just means that they are especially in-tune with themselves and what they are doing. Each intelligence has its own positive aspect to it, and no intelligence is better than the other. It is important to shy away from the IQ test, and trying to see “how smart” someone is. We instead need to focus on the fact that students learn in different ways, and each way is that child’s strength in itself.
In reading these articles I learned that not only are there Multiple Intelligences, but there are differing theories outside of Gardner’s that are along the same lines. Gardner though seemed like the trendsetter in having differing viewpoints on IQ and how smart a person really is. That is a legitimate question; how smart is someone? How do we measure someone’s intelligence? Gardner has come up with a viable solution that will not leave anyone behind. People are different. They live, eat, sleep, run, and think differently from one another. Gardner’s emphasis on his Multiple Intelligences theory is well placed. If people do just about everything different from one another, why would people not learn differently? When I become a P.E. teacher, I plan on utilizing Gardner’s theory and weaving it into my daily plan. Not only will an explanation of the skill or task be presented, but a demonstration and information on reasoning behind the certain skill or task will also be given. While this does not cover all seven for this particular task, the other intelligences not incorporated will be implemented the next day or on the next task. I am very glad I have had a chance to learn about Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences because it not only broadens my teaching and learning perspective, but it reinforces the fact that people are different, and you must cater to all learning styles, not solely focus on one.