Connecting the Models

Lesson Background

Learning styles and multiple intelligences are integrated.  For each intelligence there are four distinct ways of using that intelligence that correspond to the four learning styles.   Multiple-intelligence theory is centered around the content of learning and the relationship between learning and the nine distinct fields of knowledge or disciplines.  The learning style model revolves specifically around the individualized process of learning, but does not directly address the content of that learning.   Clearly, learning styles and multiple intelligences need each other. 

View this example of student work to see if you can tell which response represents which style of verbal-linguistic intelligence.

Gardner would insist that personal histories and social contexts are the key factors in explaining how individuals with different intelligences express those intelligences.  As teachers we are interested in taking full advantage of the relationships among intelligences and styles.  There are three steps to this process.
   Step 1:  Divide each intelligence four ways according to learning style.
   Step 2:  Match vocations and real-world applications to each intelligence-style profile.
   Step 3:  Collect descriptions of products that individuals with a particular style-
                intelligence capability might create.

The results of this process are menus that provide teachers with a basis for an integrated learning and assessment system that is easy to use to provide authentic learning and assessment for students.

Providing for diversity is another challenge teachers face today as they balance providing for diverse students who need to be assessed by one instrument.  There are four key principles for teaching diverse students:,  comfort, challenge, depth and motivation.  Following these principles as benchmarks prepares teachers for  style-and intelligence- integrated curriculum, instruction and assessment.

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