While it’s now widely accepted that not everyone learns the same way, most formal educators have historically taught everyone the same way: lectures, reading, writing assignments, formulas, and standardized testing.
But in 1983, Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner published his theory of multiple intelligences. In the decades since, his theory has been the foundation that’s reshaped teaching and learning around the world.
Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences
In Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Howard Gardner’s theory proposes that human intelligence isn’t a single trait but a spectrum of multiple intelligences. Gardner originally identified seven different types of intelligence, and later expanded them to nine:
- Verbal-Linguistic
- Logical-Mathematical
- Musical-Rhythmic
- Visual-Spatial
- Bodily-Kinesthetic
- Interpersonal
- Intrapersonal
- Naturalist
- Existential
Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles
Multiple intelligences and learning styles are connected, but they’re not the same.
Multiple intelligences theory suggests that people have different ways of processing information, which influences how they learn and what they do well. For example, someone with strong logical-mathematical capacity will find analytical problem-solving relatively easy.
Learning styles describe the ways individuals tend to receive information. For example, someone may find it easier to absorb knowledge when it’s accompanied by diagrams.
Gardner believed that the existence of multiple intelligences should impact the way people are educated:
“Students learn in ways that are identifiably distinctive. The broad spectrum of students—and perhaps the society as a whole—would be better served if disciplines could be presented in a number of ways and learning could be assessed through a variety of means.”
This idea has been embraced by educational theorists, schools, and policymakers in the design of curricula, classrooms, and even whole schools. Since its introduction, the theory of multiple intelligences has helped expand teaching beyond the traditional linguistic and logical methods.
Using Multiple Intelligences to Optimize Your Learning
Understanding your strengths and learning preferences is highly beneficial when you study at the college level. Whether you learn on campus or online, you’ll encounter a large amount of material on your journey to achieving a degree.
If you’re grinding through textbooks and wondering why nothing is making sense, it’s not a failure of intelligence. You’re probably just not learning in the way that works best for you.
Here’s how to apply multiple intelligences theory to your learning:
Verbal-linguistic
What it looks like: You may have a way with words. Reading and communicating through speech come naturally.
Study strategies: Take detailed notes and summarize concepts in your own words. Consolidate your learning with additional reading, such as industry articles and emerging research.
Degree alignment: English, Business Administration, Communication.
Logical-mathematic
What it looks like: You like to understand how things work, and you’re drawn to patterns, systems, and cause-and-effect reasoning.
Study strategies: Outline frameworks and use mind mapping to link ideas and concepts.
Looking for the underlying logic may help you make sense of newly introduced topics.
Degree alignment: Mathematics, Finance, Computer Science.
Musical-Rhythmic
What it looks like: You’re tuned into sound, rhythm, and pattern. You may have a natural affinity for playing instruments or making music.
Study strategies: Use melodic mnemonics by setting key terms and information to a beat. This is a well-researched method that’s been proven to improve memory and recall.
Degree alignment: Worship Ministry.
Visual-Spatial
What it looks like: You think in images and find it easy to visualize how things work and connect. You might easily remember faces and physical layouts, and be good at communicating your thoughts through pictures and diagrams.
Study strategies: Draw diagrams, timelines, and concept maps. Supplementing your reading with video will help you make abstract concepts concrete. Color-coding your notes and creating your own visuals reinforces what you’ve processed.
Degree alignment: Graphic Design, Engineering, Business Marketing.
Bodily-Kinesthetic
What it looks like: You’re physically coordinated and may be gifted at sports. When it comes to academic subjects, you may retain information best when it’s tied to movement or hands-on experience.
Study strategies: You learn by doing, so using physical flashcards could be more effective than relying solely on screens. Try studying for set time periods and move around during breaks.
Degree alignment: Exercise Science, Sports Management, Early Childhood Education.
Interpersonal
What it looks like: You’re a people person. You read people well and are attuned to others’ emotions and motivations. You prefer to be with others and may feel isolated when alone.
Study strategies: You excel in study groups. Teach material to others to consolidate your learning, and seek feedback to improve your understanding.
Degree alignment: Organizational Management, Social Work, Ministry Leadership.
Intrapersonal
What it looks like: You process things internally and reflect before acting. You’re self-aware and deeply attuned to your values, motivations, and thought patterns.
Study strategies: Take time to review material on your own, even when working in a group. Use this time to consolidate your learning by connecting new material to your own experiences and beliefs.
Degree alignment: Psychology, Strategic Business Management, Accounting, Business Administration.
Naturalist
What it looks like: You’re fascinated by the natural world; ecosystems, species, systems. You’re likely to have strong observation skills, and may feel more at ease outdoors than in a conventional classroom setting.
Study strategies: Connect your studies to real-world examples, and use classification to organize complex material. You may find it helpful to study outside, or, if you study indoors, to step out during breaks for fresh air and a change of scenery to sharpen your focus.
Degree alignment: Biology, Environmental Biology, Nursing.
Existential
What it looks like: You’re drawn to the big questions in life: God, mortality, purpose, and what lies beyond what we know. You enjoy the depth of these types of questions and can sit comfortably without needing a concrete answer.
Study strategies: Connect topics to the larger questions they raise, and conduct your own research where possible. Read additional materials alongside your set content to engage more deeply with meaning and context. Take part in debates and discussions if you can.
Degree alignment: Biblical Studies, Ministry Leadership.
Applying Types of Intelligences in Education
No classroom is made up of a single cognitive type. Each classroom is a mix of verbal-linguistic processors, visual-spatial thinkers, bodily-kinesthetic abilities, and intrapersonal learners.
Educators who understand that intelligence is multifaceted reach more students more effectively. They look at a class and expect that some students will easily absorb information presented in text. And that other students will benefit from accompanying visuals to fully understand the same concept.
Armed with this understanding, educators can develop learning strategies for different intelligences and provide different potential pathways to learning. Research supports the value of varying instruction.
In 2010, Bas and Beyhan presented findings from their study on the application of the multiple intelligences theory in learning English. They found that learning based on the theory yielded better results in student achievement and attitudes toward learning.
Educators can apply the theory of multiple intelligences to their teaching by implementing differentiated instruction and offering multiple pathways into the same content through varied activity types.
8 Ways to Teach to Multiple Intelligences
Here are 8 ways educators can teach to multiple intelligences:
1. Text
Aligns with linguistic intelligence.
Text-based learning is a large part of education at all levels. It includes reading from textbooks, academic journals, and online materials. Text-based assignments remain the primary method of assessment for most learners.
In addition to essays, text-based assignments include research papers, case studies, and real-world writing tasks, such as business reports.
2. Visuals
Aligns with spatial intelligence.
Visual media helps students grasp and solidify concepts throughout education. Visuals include diagrams, charts, photographs, and video. Using visuals in text-heavy subjects can make abstract and complex ideas easier to understand and apply.
3. Audio
Aligns with musical-rhythmic intelligence.
Audio-based learning supports students who process information more easily through listening than reading. It’s also an excellent teaching method for students who struggle with reading or are visually impaired.
Audio-based education includes narration, recorded lectures, podcasts, and sound-based instructional content. Assignments can be spoken presentations, interviews, debates, and discussions.
4. Realia
Aligns with bodily-kinesthetic and naturalist intelligence.
Realia is the use of real items for educational purposes. It includes physical objects, specimens, tools, and digital materials like websites.
Using realia presents information realistically and provides a tangible experience, making learning more concrete and accessible. Realia-based activities include hands-on analysis and field-based tasks that require students to engage directly with the world.
5. Pattern-finding
Aligns with logical-mathematical intelligence.
Pattern-based learning can be found in education from kindergarten to college. At the college level, it includes activities like structured problem-solving, data analysis, problem sets, and analyses.
These tasks require the ability to reason and draw conclusions from evidence. They are often found in subjects such as computer science and language, where identifying connections and underlying logic is central to mastering the material.
6. Group projects
Aligns with interpersonal intelligence.
Group projects help break down large topics and reflect how professional environments operate in real life.
Group-based learning includes discussions, team-based problem-solving, and shared assignments. When assessed on group projects, students are typically evaluated on their communication skills, ability to collaborate and contribute to a shared outcome, and academic understanding.
7. Experiential learning
Aligns with naturalist and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
Experiential learning connects in-class learning to the real world. It’s an effective way to apply learned skills and knowledge, and a powerful way to grasp new concepts. Experiential learning may include lab work, field study, and observation-based tasks done in authentic environments.
8. Reflection on learning
Aligns with intrapersonal intelligence.
Reflecting on learning is a relatively new, but valued, addition to education. Reflective learning encourages students to look inward and examine what they know, what they’ve learned, and how that learning may shape their thinking, beliefs, and approach going forward.
Tasks such as structured journaling, self-evaluations, and peer reviews encourage students to demonstrate growth and self-awareness alongside their academic knowledge.
Methods of Learning at Cornerstone University
At Cornerstone, we appreciate that each student brings a distinct set of strengths to their studies. Our programs are designed to support all learners by combining diverse learning approaches in the classroom, whether online or in person.
Our on-campus programs may be especially well-suited to you if your intelligence leans more on the interpersonal or kinesthetic side, or if you work best in hands-on, community-based environments.
If you study online, you’ll find a diverse community of learners from all walks of life, with all kinds of reasons for being there. Online study tends to suit those who are more intrapersonal by nature; however, collaboration and shared experience remain central to the online learning experience at Cornerstone.
Wherever your strengths lie, there’s a program at Cornerstone built to meet you where you are. Explore all programs or connect with Career Services to map your strengths to a direction that fits.
