I am a visual learner and you?

"Intelligence" is a keyword in the modern society which can open many significant doors and put you on a pedestal. Contemporary education system focuses mostly on Verbal and Mathematical Intelligence; however according to Howard Gardner's theory expounded firstly in a book: "Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences" there are seven different types of intelligence such as: Visual/ Spatial Intelligence, Verbal/ Linguistic Intelligence, Logical/ Mathematical Intelligence, Body/ Kinesthetic Intelligence, Musical/ Rhythmic Intelligence, Interpersonal Intelligence, Intrapersonal Intelligence.

Visual/ Spatial Intelligence - These types of learners learn through seeing. They need to create vivid mental images (especially 3D) of what they are learning in order to understand and retain new and difficult information. The best way of learning for them is through pictures, tables, graphs, movies. They excel at reading, writing, painting, sketching, puzzle building, understanding tables and graphs, they have a good sense of direction. The example of Visual Intelligence is Michelangelo Buonarroti who was able to reconstruct in his mind every picture just after few seconds of watching it. It is good idea for visual learners to highlight important keywords in their notes, draw pictures of what is to be learnt, study in places where there will not be any verbal disturbances.

Verbal/ Linguistic Intelligence - These types of learners learn through hearing. This is the intelligence of great poets, writers, humorists and orators. They think in words, they need to hear information with the aim of bearing it in mind. They are good at speaking, listening, explaining, teaching, analyzing language usage, understanding the syntax. It is a good idea for them to read new information aloud or recite it, listen to CDs, tape the material which is supposed to be learnt. Verbal learner can also use the method of role-playing; imaging that he is a teacher, he can explain new things to himself.

Logical/ Mathematical Intelligence - These types of learners learn through numbers. This is the intelligence of sequence and order. Those learners retain information through numerical and logical patterns. They tend to like experiments, ask a lot of questions. Carl Friedrich Gauss is the example of mathematical learner. Mathematical learners have no difficulty in: problem solving, working with geometric shapes, performing complex mathematical calculations, working with abstract concepts. Explaining some phenomena teachers should provide these learners with clear and logical explanations, give symbols and numbers, use graphs.

Body/ Kinesthetic Intelligence - These types of learners learn through doing, touching, moving. This is the intelligence of co - ordination, using one's own body as an instrument. Those learners have highly developed sense of balance as well as eye - hand co - ordination. John McEnroe is the example of Body Intelligence. Kinesthetic learners excel at acting, miming, crafts, athletic ability. The best way of learning for them is through role - playing, memorizing new information while walking or counting on fingers, making models. Making a visualization of himself can be beneficial as well.

Musical/ Rhythmic Intelligence - These types of learners learn through music. They think in rhythms, sounds, musical patterns. The examples of Musical Intelligence are the greatest musicians as: Beethoven, Mozart. Those learners are very sensitive to sounds, melodies. They are good at singing, playing musical instruments, composing music, understanding rhythm of music and its structure. It is a good idea for those learners to listen to music which they like while studying. During a test, intoning a few sounds of the song can help to reconstruct the needed knowledge on a given subject.

Interpersonal Intelligence - These types of learners learn through others' emotions. Those learners are easy to communicate with, able to empathy with other people's feelings, they can "read" in people's minds. To understand things they have to see other people's points of view. They are great organizers who are able to encourage a group of people to co - operation. They use verbal and non - verbal communication easily. The examples of Interpersonal Intelligence: Winston Churchill, Napoleon. Those learners are good at: counseling, building trust, resolving conflicts peacefully.

Intrapersonal Intelligence - These types of learners learn through their own inner emotions, they focus on their strengths and weaknesses, they have to ponder over things on their own, they like being alone. The example of Intrapersonal Intelligence is Jean Arthur Rimbaud. Those learners excel at reflecting and analyzing themselves, reasoning within themselves, raising their awareness of their dreams, needs, fears etc. more than other people.

As you have noticed, the majority of people are "mixed learners', learners who combine more than just one type of Intelligence. Scientists claim that in order to assimilate new information more effectively we should combine techniques from Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic Intelligence. For example, when we want to learn some facts from a history book we should read the text and listen to its taped version at the same time and then visualize our participation in the event.

Author: Martyna Somerlik

Dodano: 2009-01-23