Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles

I believe that a significant part of a person responsibility classroom is knowing it how you learn. It is very important for each student to know what works best for them, and whenever possible to learn that way.

Each year we start with a quick test, a learning styles and multiple intelligences test. Each student is given a two-sided test with a section for each of the four styles and the eight intelligences. Students rank the statements in each section from 0, never, to 4, always. Students then add up the 0's-4's and the totals are compared to see which learning styles and which intelligences are their strengths.

We then talk about what each style and intelligence is like, the strengths and the weaknesses of each. I have sheets with tips for each that I share with the students as well. I do tell them that as important as it is to know their strengths and to try to work in them, I also inform them that they need to learn to function in any style or intelligences.

Why? Because teachers also have their own style and intelligence. Some teachers will teach in as many of each as possible to meet the needs of their students, yet some will not. That is why it is important to know all the styles and all the intelligences.

Being a responsible student means knowing how you learn, making choices based on that, and learning how to function even if the teaching is not in your style or intelligence. Hopefully, this year I can help my students know how they learn and how to be responsible to make choices that help them learn.

I have each student write their name on a sticky note for each style and a sticky note for each intelligence and then we place them on little posters. These posters are a great visual reminder to help me plan for my students, helping me plan based on their needs.