Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles by: Emily Giles, Sarah Pitre and Sara Womack

Howard Gardner created the theory of multiple intelligences in which he uses the aspects of cognitive and developmental psychology, anthropology, and sociology to explain the human intellect. Based on brain research and interviews with victims of strokes, and people with autism he was able to categorize his theory into eight different criteria to identify his seven different intelligences. However, where he initially had seven separate intelligences, two more were added in 1999 to make a total of nine. The nine intelligences include Verbal/Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Visual/Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, Naturalistic, and Existential. Verbal/ Linguistic includes those who have the ability to understand and manipulate words and languages. These learners learn best different types of verbal and written communication. Logical/Mathematical includes those who learn best through problem solving, and organizing data. Visual/Spatial is a person who can form and manipulate a mental model. They learn best through presentations, demonstrations or videos. A kinesthetic learner is one that can process information through the senses and learn best through lots of hands on activities. A musical learner is one that understands, interpret and create music, and learn best through rhythm and music. An interpersonal learner is a person who responds to moods or actions, and is often more emotional and empathetic towards others. They learn best socially, and through talking with others. An intrapersonal learner is one is much more internalized, and knows their own emotions, strengths and weaknesses. They learn best when left alone and by themselves to reflect upon their work. Finally is the Naturalistic learner which is a person who is greatly in tune with nature, and learns best through working and learning about nature. There are many benefits to Gardner’s intelligences theory, to include a student’s sense of increased self-worth as they build on their strengths and work towards becoming an expert in areas. Also, students may develop strong problem solving skills that they can use real life situations. Finally, this theory is important because it shows teachers that there are many different types of smart and not all students learn the same way.

"Bloom's Taxonomy:Original and Revised" by:Mary Forehand

Benjamin S. Bloom was a forerunner in the creation of the multi-tiered system that classified people’s thinking behaviors, and patterns of learning. He wrote his first book in 1956 entitled “Bloom’s taxonomy” where he discussed his multi-tiered model of classifying thinking according to six cognitive levels of complexity. The lowest three levels are knowledge, comprehension and application. The highest three levels are analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Because the levels are hierarchal, you can master one level of thinking and move on to the next. Often times, teacher’s use this hierarchy with their children by telling them to “move up the ladder” to a higher level of thinking. However, as time has progressed, Bloom’s original names for his thinking levels were renamed. Instead, the three lowest levels are remembering, understanding and applying and the three highest levels are analysis, evaluating and creating. Another change is that many of Bloom’s original levels have been subdivided into three or four different subcategories. For example, For example, Remember is subdivided into the three categories of Remember, Recognizing, and Recalling. Having all the different subcategories has shown to be helpful for teachers in their writing objectives and in aligning their standards with the curriculum. In today’s education, bloom’s taxonomy has proven to also help teachers to measure their students ability, and therefore help them better see where they need to focus on their students education.