Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences

All of us have a preferred learning style or modality. Does that mean we should stick to only using our favorite learning style?

The answer is a resounding NO! Students retain: –10% of what they read. –20% of what they hear. –30% of what they see. –50% of what they see and hear. –70% of what they say. –90% of what they say and do.

Multi-sensory approaches work well because of the way our brains are organized. When we learn, information takes one path into our brains when we use our eyes, another when we use our ears, and yet another when we use our hands. By using more than one sense, we bombard our brains with the new information in multiple ways. As a result, we learn better!!

The Three Main Learning Styles Visual learners Auditory Learners Kinesthetic, Body, or Tactile Learners

Common Characteristics of Visual Learners See details Can make movies in their minds of information they are reading Pay close attention to body language Easily understand information presented in charts, pictures, or diagrams Have a keen awareness of aesthetics Can easily recall printed information Good with visual symbols Comfortable with books and graphics May forget names but remember faces Prefer face-to- face meetings Are distracted by untidiness or movement

Auditory Learners tend to: Learn best by hearing Have strong oral communication skills Be talkers Accurately remember details from lectures and conversations Hear tones, rhythms, and notes of music Forget faces but remember names and what was talked about Sound out words Memorize easily Prefer verbal directions Prefer the telephone Become distracted by sounds or noises

Kinesthetic or tactile learners often: Learn best by doing Were labeled as hyperactive Are well coordinated Are able to disassemble and reassemble things Ignore directions and figure it out as they go along Jump right in and try activities Prefer action stories and may not be keen readers Write words down to see if they feel right Gesture and use expressive movements Learn best by using their hands

Suggestions for Visual Learners Keep the study environment clutter free. Highlight and write as you study. Use different colors to select and organize. Always write down what you need to remember. Make recall cues as visual as possible with capital letters, colors, and illustrations. Make class notes visual with drawings, spacing, symbols, and so forth. Use charts and pictures to study. Recall information by visualizing text pages, notes, or study cards. When solving problems, draw or illustrate the problem and solution.

Suggestions for Auditory Learners Have a quiet place to study. Recite aloud as you study. Attend all class lectures. Tape record lectures in addition to taking notes, and play them in your car. Talk yourself through the steps of a problem. Study in groups or with friends. Talk to yourself; describe diagrams or practice answering test questions out loud. Recite study cards into a tape recorder, and play it back. Recall information during exams by hearing yourself recite in your head.

Suggestions for Kinesthetic Learners Use as many of your senses as possible when you study. Move around when you study; put study cards on the floor, and recite them as you move around the room. Study small frequent chunks. Use a timer to set study periods. Start with short times and work up. Take a break when the timer sounds. Study with another kinesthetic person. When solving problems, move around and manipulate items to represent parts of the problem. When taking tests, try to feel how you stored information by remembering what you physically did as you studied.

The Nine Multiple Intelligences 1.Musical/Rhythmic 2.Verbal/Linguistic 3.Logical/Mathematical 4.Visual/Spatial 5.Body/Kinesthetic/Tactile 6.Intrapersonal 7.Interpersonal 8.Naturalist 9.Existential

Verbal-Linguistic- The ability to use words and language Logical-Mathematical- The capacity for inductive and deductive thinking and reasoning, as well as the use of numbers and the recognition of abstract patterns Visual-Spatial- The ability to visualize objects and spatial dimensions and create internal images and pictures

Body-Kinesthetic- The wisdom of the body and the ability to control physical motion Musical-Rhythmic- The ability to recognize tonal patterns and sounds, as well as a sensitivity to rhythms and beats

Interpersonal- The capacity for person-to-person communications and relationships Intrapersonal- The spiritual, inner states of being, self- reflection, and awareness

Existential Intelligence the ability to be sensitive to, or have the capacity for, conceptualizing or tackling deeper or larger questions Naturalist Intelligence excellent at recognizing and classifying both the animal and plant kingdoms, as well as showing understanding of natural phenomena

Career Areas for Multiple Intelligences Musical Intelligence Conductor - composer - band member - choir director Critic - dancer - disc jockey - figure skater Instrumentalist - instrumental instructor Music critic - musical performer - music teacher Music therapist - professional performer Recording technician - rock group - singer - song writer Sound engineer - teacher - violinist

Career Areas for Multiple Intelligences Linguistic Intelligence Lawyer - legal assistant - comedian - editor - historian Interpreter - journalist - lawyer - librarian Manager - novelist - orator - philosopher Playwright - poet - politician - proof reader Psychotherapist - public speaker Public relations person - reporter - sales people Secretary - social scientist - story teller Supervisor - talk show host - teacher

Career Areas for Multiple Intelligences Visual/Spatial Intelligence Photographer - graphic designer Advertiser - architect - artist - builder - carpenter Cartographer - chess player - coach - commercial artist Computer specialist - craftsperson - decorator - dentist Draftsperson/drafting engineer - engineer Fashion designer - film editor/director Furniture restorer - geographer - geometrician Industrial design - interior designer - inventor Landscape architect/designer - makeup artist Mechanic - navigator - outdoors guide - painter Pilot - sailor - sculptor - seamstress Set designer - sign painter - surgeon - surveyor

Career Areas for Multiple Intelligences Body/Kinesthetic/Tactile Acrobat - dancer - aerobic teacher - coach Physical education teacher - athlete - ballet dancer Actor - actress - drama coach Jockey - rodeo rider - equestrian Assembler - building trade person Carpenter - choreographer - clown Massage therapist - gymnast - pianist Commercial artist - construction worker - craftsperson Inventor - juggler - magician - manual laborer Mechanic - mime - physical therapist Sculptor - stunt people - surgeon - trainer - architect

Career Areas for Multiple Intelligences Intrapersonal Intelligence Entrepreneur - consultant - counselor - creative writer Guru - leadership trainer - philosopher - psychiatrist Psychologist - psychotherapist - researcher - sage Self employed people - spiritual counselor - therapist Writer

Career Areas for Multiple Intelligences Interpersonal Intelligence Teacher - therapist - travel agent/counselor Business person - chess player Child care worker - clergyman - coach Community organizer - consumer service advocate Counselor - homemaker - manager - mediator - nurse Politician - probation officer - psychologist Psychotherapist - public relation promoter - receptionist Recreation assistant - religious leader - salesperson - waiter/waitress Secretary - social leader - social director - social worker

Career Areas for Multiple Intelligences Naturalist Intelligence Biologist - botanist - chef - environmentalist Landscape artist - navigator - park ranger - sailor Veterinarian - weather tracking specialist Zoo keeper - animal handler - anthropologist - astronomer

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