Understanding your own strengths. Questions I am able to explain topics which are difficult and make them clear I learn well from talks, lectures and listening to others I have a well developed vocabulary and am expressive with it marks/5 totals I enjoy and value taking written notes A I always do things one step at a time I enjoy puzzles, crosswords, logical problems I can discern patterns & relationships between experiences and things I have a facility with numbers and mathematical problems B I have a good sense of direction Charts, diagrams, visual displays are important for my learning I can visualise remembered and constructed scenes easily I am observant and will often see things that others miss C I can remember the words to music easily When listening to music I experience changes in mood I can pick out individual instruments in complex musical pieces I enjoy making music D I have a natural ability to sort arguments out between friends I enjoy community activities and social events I am sensitive to the moods and feelings of those around me In teams I co-operate and build on the ideas of others E I know myself well and understand why I behave as I do I need to see something in it for me before I want to learn something I like privacy and quiet for learning and reflecting I enjoy working or learning independently of others F I am skilful in working with objects I learn best when I have to get up and do it for myself I have a good sense of balance and enjoy physical movement I get restless easily G 1
Now see what each category is A. Verbal & Linguistic B. Mathematical and Logical C. Visual and Spatial D. Musical & Rhythmic E. Interpersonal F. Intrapersonal G. Kinaesthetic and how your s are distributed by shading in your score for each (colour in as a pie chart) N.B. only the distribution is relevant here, not the scaling. interpe rso nal 20 15 10 visual and spatial verbal and linguistic 5 logical and mathematical kinaesthetic musical and rhythmical intr aper sonal 2
What are the types of Multiple Intelligence? These learners tend to think in pictures visual and spatial i.e. an ability to perceive the visual. need to create vivid mental images to retain information enjoy looking at maps, charts, pictures, videos, and movies Skills include: puzzle building, reading, writing, understanding charts and graphs, a good sense of direction, sketching, painting, creating visual metaphors and analogies (perhaps through the visual arts), manipulating images, constructing, fixing, designing practical objects, interpreting visual images. Possible career interests: navigators, sculptors, visual artists, inventors, architects, interior designers, mechanics, engineers, computer specialists. colour videos charts gesticulate... use hand wavy explanations visual and spatial using pictures spider diagrams, flow charts and family trees use visually evocative language graphs 3
These learners tend to verbal and linguistic i.e. an ability to use words and language have highly developed auditory skills and are generally elegant speakers think in words rather than pictures Skills include: listening, speaking, writing, story-telling, explaining, teaching, using humour, understanding the syntax and meaning of words, remembering information, convincing someone of your own point of view, analyzing language usage. Possible career interests: poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, translator. play on words make tapes of notes verbal and linguistic working tea breaks using humour talking and listening to others working out how you can convince people 4
These learners tend to logical and mathematical i.e. an ability to use reason, logic and numbers. think conceptually in logical and numerical patterns, making connections between pieces of information are always curious about the world around them ask lots of questions and like to do experiments Skills include: problem-solving, classifying and categorizing information, working with abstract concepts to figure out the relationship of each to the other, doing controlled experiments, questioning and wondering about natural events, performing complex mathematical calculations, working with geometric shapes. Possible career interests: scientists, engineers, computer programmers, researchers, accountants, mathematicians. look for patterns find analogues make lists or mind maps logical and mathematical look for geometry looking at stuff as problem solving experiments dividing tasks up... being methodical 5
kinaesthetic i.e. an ability to control body movements and handle objects skilfully. These learners tend to express themselves through movement have a good sense of balance and eye-hand co-ordination are able to remember and process information through interacting with the space around them Skills include: dancing, physical co-ordination, sports, hands on experimentation, using body language, crafts, acting, miming, using their hands to create or build, expressing emotions through the body. Possible career interests: athletes, physical education teachers, dancers, actors, firefighters. Use wall charts regular active breaks make physical mindmaps (e.g. with post-its and string on a wall) kinaesthetic toys on desk, e.g. a ball (or something that you can use to demonstrate a point or just relieve stress) reviewing/planning while exercising, e.g. by recording notes onto your Dictaphone... hand waving discussions cut stuff up and physically rearrange it 6
musical and rhythmical i.e. an ability to produce and appreciate music These learners tend to think in sounds, rhythms and patterns immediately respond to music either appreciating or criticizing what they hear be very sensitive to environmental sounds (e.g. crickets, bells, dripping taps) Skills include: singing, whistling, playing musical instruments, recognizing tonal patterns, composing music, remembering melodies, understanding the structure and rhythm of music. Possible career interests: musician, disc jockey, singer, composer. listening to music while you work turn information into lyrics...... and then sing information musical and rhythmical think about how a particular instrument would convey this information pick particular music to go with particular subjects (thus building in triggers) 7
interpe rso nal These learners tend to i.e. an ability to empathize with and understand others try to see things from other people's point of view in order to understand how they think and feel often have an uncanny ability to sense feelings, intentions and motivations are great organizers, although they can sometimes resort to manipulation generally try to maintain peace in group settings and encourage co-operation use both verbal (e.g. speaking) and non-verbal language (e.g. eye contact, body language) to open communication channels with others Skills include: seeing things from other perspectives; listening; being empathetic; understanding other people's moods and feelings; counselling; co-operating with groups; noticing people's moods, motivations and intentions; communicating both verbally and non-verbally; building trust; seeking peaceful conflict resolution; establishing positive relations with other people. Possible Career interests: counsellor, salesperson, politician, business person. form study groups anticipating other people's needs helping others interpersonal role play pretend you're explaining it to someone else talk to people (lecturers/peers etc) attach positive emotions to work discussing problems with other people 8
intrapersonal i.e. an ability to self-reflect and be aware of one's inner state of being. These learners tend to try to understand their inner feelings, dreams, relationships with others, and strengths and weaknesses. Skills include: recognizing their own strengths and weaknesses; awareness of their inner feelings, desires and dreams; evaluating their thinking patterns; reasoning with themselves; understanding their role in relation to others Possible career interests: researchers, theorists, philosophers. look at big picture see how doing / not doing benefits /is detrimental to your life/goals remind yourself that you are working towards a bigger picture (the click factor) How to use your intrapersonal analysing why something is causing you stress and work out de-stress strategies work out theories/ philosophies attach emotions / thoughts to what you're working on 9
Learning Styles: different approaches or ways of learning. Visual Learners: These learners need to see someone s body language and facial expression to fully understand lesson content. They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the classroom to avoid visual obstructions (e.g. people's heads). learn through seeing They may think in pictures and learn best from visual displays including: diagrams, illustrated text books, overhead transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-outs. During a lecture or classroom discussion, visual learners often prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information. These learners learn best through verbal lectures, discussions, talking things through and listening to what others have to say. Auditory Learners: Auditory learners interpret the underlying meanings of speech through listening to tone of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances. Written information may have little meaning until it is heard. These learners often benefit from reading text aloud and getting software to read back their work. learn through listening Tactile/Kinaesthetic Learners: learn through moving, doing and touching Tactile/Kinaesthetic persons learn best through a hands-on approach, actively exploring the physical world around them. They may find it hard to sit still for long periods and may become distracted by their need for activity and exploration. 10