Multiple Intelligences

The theory of Multiple intelligences,  proposed by Howard Gardner in his book ''Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences" in 1983 says that human intelligence is composed by specific modalities, rather than a general ability.

This concept is related to the concept of learning styles, as it classifies people into different categories or modalities. This point of view, that sees intelligence as a varied and plural characteristic of human being, has become popular in Didactics in the recent years.

Gardner theory claims that every person has a distinctive set of capabilities and inclinations that defines his or her type of intelligence. According to this classification, there are eight different Intelligences:

• Logical/Mathematical: People who think in numbers and patterns. They learn better by problem solving, symbols, and analyses.

• Visual/Spatial: They think by pictures and images.  These people learn by visualizing, drawing and creating mind maps or tables.

• Musical/Rhythmic: These people think in rhythm, lyrics and melody. To learn, they can use songs, chants, rhymes and poetry.

• Bodily/Kinesthetic: They think by doing things, using their whole body or parts of it. To learn, they are good to perform role plays or hands-on activities.

• Naturalist: They are aware and interested in nature, and learn by observing, classifying and analyzing natural phenomena.

• Interpersonal: They have a developed capacity to understand and respect the other people. These people learn by discussing, explaining and debating information with the others.

• Intrapersonal: People who feel comfortable with themselves and understand themselves. They learn through analyzing ideas and reflecting on them.

Every teacher must prepare his lessons taking into account those intelligences, using strategies to stimulate the brain of all the students in the class, no matter what their type of intelligence is.