Multiple Intelligence VS. Learning Styles

The multiple intelligence theory separates intelligence into 8 types:

• Linguistic intelligence ("word smart")
• Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
• Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
• Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
• Musical intelligence ("music smart")
• Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
• Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
• Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

The theory behind multiple intelligence theory is that everyone has the ability to use all of the intelligences but each person is different on how well they can use certain intelligences. For example: Bobby might better understand by using his musical intelligence and interpersonal intelligence and Timmy might understand better by using his mathematical intelligence and linguistic intelligence. However, this doesn't mean that Bobby can't use his mathematical and linguistic intelligences  it simply means his musical and interpersonal intelligences are stronger. For some of us it is easy to understand how a flower grows but it's difficult to understand and use a musical instrument. For others music might be easy but playing football is difficult.

Learning styles is a widely used method, it establishes how a person learns. There are 3 styles :

• Visual: learns through pictures, graphs, charts, and seeing information
• Auditory: learns through hearing and speaking
• Kinesthetic: learns through hands-on activities

The theory behind learning styles is that every child has a way of learning that best suits them. Sally might be able to put together a craft by reading the directions whereas, Gracie might be able to do the craft by watching the teacher do it.

I think that you need both of these styles to help students excel and understand what you are teaching. You need to think about how the child learns and what their strongest intelligences are in order to help them completely understand. if the child is a visual learner and their strongest intelligences are interpersonal and spatial, then you might want to put that child in a group for the assignment and use pictures to explain what they need to learn or do.

What learning style and intelligences do you possess?
Multiple Intelligence Test
Learning Styles Quiz