Learning Theories, Styles, and Preferences

One of the most famous learning theories is Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences, but it is not a learning style. Gardner spoke of a “tendency of many people, including persons whom I cherish, to credit me with the notion of ‘learning styles’ or to collapse ‘multiple intelligences’ with ‘learning styles.’” (Strauss, 2013). It is important to recognize that just because a person excels at one intelligence does not mean he learns only that way. Labels of learning styles may be deceptive, but they may be effective. I learn best through a verbal/linguistic approach. I think this is a learning style that really helps me. Speaking to friends, writing ideas, or reading means by which I best learn material. Howard Gardner describes linguistic learners as having the “ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically; and language as a means to remember information” (Smith). I write all the time. Even in informal settings like Facebook messaging or text-messaging, I write extensively. When I read or hear something, I turn to writing or teaching others in order to retain information. Creating a blog is a good way to learn something linguistically. Students who excel at creative writing would do well with a blog or using the I-SEARCH process, which requires a lot of writing about the process of creating a final project.

That is how I would describe my approach to learning, but according to a questionnaire at Museums, Libraries, and Archives, my learning styles are best described as mathematical/logical learner and intrapersonal. Logical-mathematical “entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically” and intrapersonal is “capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one’s feelings, fears and motivations” (Smith). Seeing patterns and making lists is an effective way for logical-mathematical learners to approach a project like this. One of the first things I did for this assignment was to list what I might do a blog over, what I needed to research, and what resources I would need to turn to. The intrapersonal intelligence helps me do inquiry because I can tell what my strengths and weaknesses are. I know that my visual presentations are not always the best, but that I am a solid writer. Knowing this, I consider ways to incorporate more visual elements to appeal to learners of a different style. I love films and paintings, so maybe visual intelligence is a way I learn, but using that in a project is difficult. Others may not think of me as a visual learner because of this difficulty. This is why it is important not to conflate multiple intelligences with a learning theory. Teachers should individualize lessons or projects to meet the strengths and weaknesses of their students. One student may be good as visual elements sometimes, but do poorly in other visual projects. I think this project was interesting because it made me thinking about how I approach the inquiry process and made me write about the multitude of steps.

References

Smith, Mark K. (2002, 2008) ‘Howard Gardner and multiple intelligences.’ The Encyclopedia of Informal Education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/mobi/howard-gardner-multiple-intelligences-and-education.

Strauss, V. (2013). Howard Gardner: 'multiple intelligences' are not 'learning styles.' Washington Post. October 16. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/10/16/howard-gardner-multiple-intelligences-are-not-learning-styles/

What is your learning style? (2008) Museums, Libraries, and Archives. Retrieved from http://www.inspiringlearningforall.gov.uk/learning/whatis.html