Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles

Module Nine

How can exploration of the Internet support a variety of learning styles and multiple intelligences?

As teachers, our goal is to provide our students with varied learning experiences that will improve their current areas of strengths while challenging them to improve their abilities in weaker areas. Through a working knowledge of our students' learning styles and "intelligences," we are better able to tailor our lessons and activities to expand our students' strengths.

Our students have different "intelligences," or areas of strengths, and tend to be drawn to project and subject choices that utilize areas of strength. As teachers, we must create situations where they may also develop the less preferred, usually weaker, intelligences. Fundamental to this challenge is an understanding of Gardener's Multiple Intelligences. With a working knowledge of these intelligences, we can develop dynamic projects which give students an opportunity to explore and expand their strengths in each of these intelligences.

Multiple Intelligences

The lesson . . .

We all have been surprised when the academically "slow" student can articulate vast stores of information about a hobby or interest for which he or she has a passion. On the other hand, there are students who stand out as "brilliant" or "bright" such as the student who readily recognizes patterns or relationships which, for others, remain a mirage or a mystery. Whereas we have traditionally considered the former student "dull" or perhaps "slow" and the other "bright" or "smart," we have assessed them within the narrow context of a single "intelligence."

In his Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Howard Gardener proposes that people are not simply "smart" or "dull." Rather they have different "intelligences." He has identified seven. (Well, actually, he has recently proposed that there is an eighth intelligence, "ecological," but not much has been written about it yet.) These seven intelligences are:

  • Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence
  • Visual/Spatial Intelligence
  • Musical Intelligence
  • Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
  • Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
  • Interpersonal Intelligence
  • Intrapersonal Intelligence

    Gardner would argue that the most effective instruction would incorporate all seven of these intelligences. At first glance the integration of these intelligences would seem an unlikely marriage at best. For example, one might wonder what connection could be made between the Social Studies curriculum and the Bodily/Kinesthetic intelligence? And how could an English teacher possibly apply the Mathematical/Logical intelligence to his or her unit of instruction on persuasive writing?

    It is the purpose of this lesson to allow you the opportunity to explore and discuss these connections.

    With a partner, examine the site,

    Seven Styles of Learning.

    Brainstorm ways you would apply elements of each of these learning styles to lessons you already teach or lessons you would like to teach using the Internet as a tool. Write these down! The best ideas may be incorporated into your first Internet literacy lesson.

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    Revised 3/3/99