Learning+Styles

Students respond differently to different stimuli (pictures, music, discussion, movement, etc...)This depends on what type of learners they are. One way to look at this might be explained by Neuro-Linguistics Programming (NLP). NLP can be defined as : "the study of the structure of subjective experience and what can be calculated from that and is predicated upon the belief that all behavior has structure" according to http://www.neurolinguisticprogramming.com/  That might explain why some students learn better if exposed to visual stimuli, auditory input, by doing things, or getting involved in a physical activity.

 Thus, we have three types of learners:
 * 1) Visual learners, those who respond to visual stimuli
 * 2) Auditory learners, those who respond to music, sound, etc...
 * 3) Kinaesthetic learners, those who respond to physical activities

 We need to know what type of students we teach to vary our activities to them. Some students may not understand abstract concepts, but when they are delineated these concepts are understood. This division can be explained by Multiple Intelligences theory by Howard Gardner. Gardner explains that we have different kinds of intelligences. Thus, there are no "stupid" students, but there are multiple intelligences of human beings and that means we differ in terms of how we approach concepts and matters.

Those intelligences are:


 * 1) Linguistic intelligence "involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. This intelligence includes the ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically; and language as a means to remember information. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence."
 * 2) Logical-mathematical intelligence consists of the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. In Howard Gardner's words, it entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking.
 * 3) Musical intelligence involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. According to Howard Gardner musical intelligence runs in an almost structural parallel to linguistic intelligence.
 * 4) Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence entails the potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements. Howard Gardner sees mental and physical activity as related.
 * 5) Spatial intelligence involves the potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas.
 * 6) Interpersonal intelligence is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people. It allows people to work effectively with others. Educators, salespeople, religious and political leaders and counselors all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence.
 * 7) Intrapersonal intelligence entails the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations. In Howard Gardner's view it involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives.

 Knowing those intelligences enables teachers to have more than one way of teaching and instructional designers to use different methods of designing their curricula to reach all students with different kinds of intelligences.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Taken from http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm