Multiple intelligences
We are all different, and we prefer to learn in different ways. Therefore, intelligence is much more complex and varied than many psychologists thought. Then, intelligence and IQ was measured on a limited set of skills that humans have inherited or acquired. The current knowledge provides a broader picture.
The French psychologist Alfred Binet introduced intelligence tests. Children who were good at reading had a high IQ, while, e.g. children who were good at playing music were 'gifted'.
To extend the intelligence concept, the American psychologists Howard Gardner and Thomas Armstrong work with multiple intelligences and have spread this concept widely. Their multiple intelligences comprise:
- linguistic - word smart
- logical/mathematical - number smart
- spatial/visual - picture smart
- kinaesthetic - body smart
- musical - music smart
- social - people smart
- personal - myself smart
- naturalistic - nature smart
“Intelligence is the capacity to do something useful in the society in which we live. Intelligence is the ability to respond successfully to new situations and the capacity to learn from one’s past experiences.” (Dr. Howard Gardner, Frames of Mind and Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice).
Learning styles can be defined as "the best way each of us concentrates on how we process, acquire and remember new and difficult information." (Baasland, H. (2009) Teacher's Guide. Academic Technology and Learning Strategies, College publisher)
The message is that we are all different and have our favourite, preferred learning style. The essence is not how intelligent you are, but in what way. If you accept this message, a natural consequence is that teaching should, to some extent, adapt to the abilities and needs of the individual student. Teaching should be suitable for those who have their strength in other forms of intelligence than the first in the list of eight. A diverse learning environment facilitates the individual students and enables them to use their particular strengths in learning. Here, the individual can, to a certain extent, choose his or her own learning style.
