Theories about intelligence and learning styles

Intelligence

A synthesis of 70+ definitions from psychology, philosophy, and AI researchers: "Intelligence measures an agent’s ability to achieve goals in a wide range of environments," which has been mathematically formalized. (Legg & Hutter, 2007)

• Howard Gardner -Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner (1991) has identified seven distinct intelligences. This theory has emerged from recent cognitive research and "documents the extent to which students possess different kinds of minds and therefore learn, remember, perform, and understand in different ways."

As Clara Lane (2008) writes in her book "Gardner says that these differences challenge an educational system that assumes that everyone can learn the same materials in the same way and that a uniform, universal measure suffices to test student learning."

1. Visual-Spatial: think in terms of physical space, as do architects and sailors. Very aware of their environments. They like to draw, do jigsaw puzzles, read maps, daydream. They can be taught through tools including models, graphics, charts, photographs, drawings, 3-D modeling, video, videoconferencing, television, multimedia, texts with pictures/charts/graphs, puzzles.
2. Bodily-kinesthetic: use the body effectively, like a dancer or a surgeon. Keen sense of body awareness. They like movement, making things, touching. They communicate well through body language and be taught through physical activity, hands-on learning, acting out, role playing.
3. Musical: show sensitivity to rhythm and sound. They love music, but they are also sensitive to sounds in their environments. They can be taught by turning lessons into lyrics, speaking rhythmically, tapping out time.
4. Interpersonal: These students learn through interaction. They have many friends, empathy for others, street smarts. They can be taught through group activities, seminars, dialogues. 
5. Intrapersonal: These learners tend to shy away from others. They're in tune with their inner feelings; they have wisdom, intuition and motivation, as well as a strong will, confidence and opinions. They can be taught through independent study and introspection. They are the most independent of the learners.
6. Linguistic: These learners have highly developed auditory skills and often think in words. They like reading, playing word games, making up poetry or stories. They can be taught by encouraging them to say and see words, read books together.
7. Logical -Mathematical: They think conceptually, abstractly and are able to see and explore patterns and relationships. They like to experiment, solve puzzles, ask cosmic questions. They can be taught through logic games, investigations, mysteries. They need to learn and form concepts before they can deal with details. 

At first, it may seem impossible to teach to all learning styles. However, as we move into using a mix of media or multimedia, it becomes easier. 

Learning Styles

The term “learning styles” speaks to the understanding that every student learns differently. An individual’s learning style refers to the preferential way in which the student processes, comprehends and retains information.

• VAK learning styles

The Visual-Auditory-Kinesthetic learning styles model or 'inventory', usually abbreviated to VAK, provides a simple way to explain and understand your own learning style (and learning styles of others).

'Learning style' should be interpreted to mean an individual mixture of styles. Everyone has a mixture of strengths and preferences. No-one has exclusively one single style or preference. Please bear this in mind when using these ideas.

1. Visual learning style involves the use of seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flip-chart, etc.
2. Auditory learning style involves the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word, of self or others, of sounds and noises.
3. Kinesthetic learning involves physical experience - touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences.

Kinesthetic is the one, out of the 3 styles, that takes longer to learn, since its a low speed cognitive way.