Multiple Intelligences Theory by Howard Gardner

Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences

• Howard Gardner is an American cognitive psychologist and author, best known for his theory of multiple intelligences.
• He first presented his theory in "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences" (1983) and later refined and extended it in multiple books.
• Gardner defines intelligence as "a biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture" (Gardner, 2000).

Multiple Intelligences

• Logical-Mathematical: the ability to understand and use numerical patterns, carry out mathematical operations, and engage in logical reasoning.
• Linguistic: the ability to acquire and use the functions of language to express oneself and comprehend others.
• Spatial: the ability to recognize and manipulate patterns, spaces, and objects.
• Musical: the ability to recognize and use the components of music in composing or performing music.
• Bodily-Kinesthetic: the ability to use the body in a coordinated and productive fashion.
• Interpersonal: the ability to interact with others in a positive and productive fashion, to recognize motivations and intentions, and others' feelings.
• Intrapersonal: the ability to understand one's own motivations and abilities and use that information to guide one's own life.
• Naturalistic: the ability to understand the natural world, recognizing plant and animal species and the workings of the environment.

David Kolb's Theory of Experiential Learning

• David Kolb is a psychologist and educational theorist, best known for his theory of experiential learning.
• Kolb's theory views learning as a four-stage cycle: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation.

Kolb's Learning Cycle

• Concrete Experience: the learner encounters a concrete experience, which might be a new experience or situation, or a reinterpretation of existing experience.
• Reflective Observation: the learner reflects on the new experience in the light of their existing knowledge.
• Abstract Conceptualization: reflection gives rise to a new idea, or a modification of an existing abstract concept.
• Active Experimentation: the newly created or modified concepts give rise to experimentation.

Kolb's Learning Styles

• Kolb's learning theory sets out four distinct learning styles, which are based on a four-stage learning cycle.
• The four learning styles are: Diverging, Assimilating, Converging, and Accommodating.
• Each learning style represents a combination of two preferred styles, based on two pairs of variables, or two separate "choices" that we make.

Learning Styles

• Diverging (Feeling and Watching): people with this style are more attracted to logically sound theories than approaches based on practical value.
• Assimilating (Thinking and Watching): people with this style prefer readings, lectures, exploring analytical models, and having time to think things through.
• Converging (Doing and Thinking): people with this style can solve problems and will use their learning to find solutions to practical issues.
• Accommodating (Doing and Feeling): people with this style rely on intuition rather than logic, and prefer to take a practical, experiential approach.