Howard Gardner Theory of Intelligence and Teaching Methods

This essay discusses Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences and how teachers can use different teaching methods to help students learn effectively. It covers the eight different intelligences outlined by Gardner's theory and suggests teaching methods for different subjects based on the nature of the subject and the students' capabilities. The essay includes references to relevant books and journals.

Individual Essay

Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.......................................................................................................................................3
Different intelligences outlines by the Howard Gardner theory of intelligence..........................3
Based on the above discussed theory what teaching method can teachers use to help students
learn.............................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................8
References........................................................................................................................................9

Introduction
Every student has different style of learning and this is according to their capabilities and
interest. For example, few of the students like to learn through theoretical knowledge where as
other group of students may avoid theoretical learning and they may prefer practical learning
more by performing experiments in the laboratories and at business field areas. Howard Gardner
theory of multiple intelligence states that people are not born with all of the intelligence which
they have in their life. The following report covers the explanation of Howard Gardner’s theory
of Intelligence and based in this theory what kind of teaching method can teachers use to help
their students to enhance their learning attitude.
Main Body
Different intelligences outlines by the Howard Gardner theory of intelligence
According to this theory, Gardner states that people do not have just an intellectual
capacity but they need various kinds of intelligence within their life for getting successes in their
life. Few of the intelligences are musical, spatial-visual, interpersonal and many others. All
people are not of same kind, their habits, attitudes; learning capabilities are different from each
other. Hence, it is not possible that each student or individual will learn at a same speed with
similar learning style (Cavas and Cavas, 2020). Hence, Gardner introduced a theory known as
Howard Gardner theory of intelligence which states 8 different intelligences styles for an
individual which can be used by students to analyse which particular style they fit best and why.
The eight types of intelligence according to this theory are mentioned below-
Intelligence 1- Visual-Spatial Intelligence
Individuals who are having strong visual spatial intelligence are good to visualize the things
surround them. These kinds of individual are good with directions and they can easily learn
through maps, charts, videos and pictures. The main strength of the individual who are having
this intelligence is that they can easily provide visual and spatial judgement. The main
characteristics of people who are having this intelligence is that they like to read and write more
for their enjoyment, they are good at putting puzzles together and they can recognize patterns
easily (Dai, 2020). Architect, Artist and Engineering are some of the career choice for this kind
of students.

Intelligence 2- Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence
The individuals who are having this intelligence are able to use words well when they are writing
something or speaking. Such kind of individuals is having good skills to write stories, memorize
information for longer period of time and they also have good reading skills. People having this
intelligence are having few of the characteristics like they enjoy reading and writing, they like to
participate in speech and debate competitions, they are able to explain their information well,
good level of confidence is seen in such people and they use humour when they recite any story.
Writer, journalist, lawyer and teacher are few of the career choices for such kind of students.
Intelligence 3- Logical-Mathematical Intelligence
The students having strong logical-mathematical intelligence can easily solve any issue related to
numbers, relationships and patterns (Moran and Gardner, 2018). These kinds of students are
good at recognizing pattern, reasoning and logically analysing problems. People who are having
this intelligence are having excellent problem solving skills, they enjoy thinking about abstract
ideas and they can easily solve tough computations problems. Mathematical, Scientist, Engineer,
Accountant and Computer Programmer are few of the career opportunities for those individuals
who are having logical mathematical intelligence.
Intelligence 4- Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence
Those people who have high intelligence of bodily-kinesthetic are having good body movement
and they can perform actions appropriately to reach at the goals. Such kind of people is having
appropriate physical control on their body movement. Some of the main characteristics of this
kind of people are that they are skilled at dancing and sports; they are creative and have excellent
physical coordination. They remember things which they do neither what they heard or see.
Builder, Dancer, Actor and Sculptor are few of the career options for those individual who are
having high bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
Intelligence 5- Musical Intelligence
These kinds of people are having strong appreciation for music and they are often good at music
composition and performance (Ganiev, Ganieva and Bahodirova, 2021). These kinds of people
are good at thinking in rhythm, sounds and patterns. They like to play instruments and sing for
their enjoyment, they can easily recognize musical patterns and tones. They are having high
knowledge about music, rhythm and musical notes. Musician, Singer, Composer and Music

teacher are some of the career choices for those individuals who are having high music
intelligence.
Intelligence 6- Interpersonal Intelligence
These kinds of people are having good understanding and they like to interact with other people
for gaining more knowledge and experience within their expertise field. They can easily express
their emotions, desires and intentions to those who are present around them. Some of the major
characteristics of these kinds of people are that they are having effective communication skills as
well as non-verbal communication skill, they see situations from various kinds of perspectives,
they create positive relationship with others and they can easily resolve conflicts in group
settings (Chen and Gardner, 2018). Philosopher, Counsellor, Salesperson, politician and
psychologist are some better career options who are rich in interpersonal intelligence.
Intelligence 7- Intrapersonal Intelligence
The people who are rich in intrapersonal intelligence are good at being aware of their own
emotions, motivational factors and their own feelings. They enjoy their own company by self
reflecting their behaviour and they like to explore their relationships with others. These kinds of
people are well aware about their strengths and weaknesses to perform any task, they enjoy
analysing theories and ideas, they have excellent self awareness and they have high level of
understanding about the factor which motivates them. Therefore, they can control their
performance by motivating them self effectively. Philosopher, Writer, Scientist and Theorist are
few of the main career opportunities for intrapersonal intelligence.
Intelligence 7- Naturalistic Intelligence
The individual who are having high naturalistic intelligence are tending to learn from natural
environment. They are interested in nurturing, exploring the environment and have hobbies to
learn about other species. These kinds of person are well aware about natural environment and
how this can impact upon human life (Faidah and et. al., 2019). Students having this intelligence
are interested in subjects such as botany, zoology and biology. They enjoy camping, hiking,
gardening and exploring the outdoors. They are also having strong dislike to those learning
which are unfamiliar for them due to no connection with the environment. Some of the career
options for these kinds of students are Biologist, Gardner, Farmer and Conservationist.

Based on the above discussed theory what teaching method can teachers use to help students
learn
The teaching method of teachers varies from subject to subject. Different kinds of
subjects can be taught in a different teaching method by using different reaching style. Every
subject is not having same level of concepts and understandings. Hence, teachers must analyse
the nature of their subject and identify how students can learn effectively to specific subject. It is
also essential for schools and universities to train their teachers to adopt different teaching styles
so that they can switch their teaching style according to the understanding level of their students.
There are various kinds of teaching style which can be used by teachers according to their
subjects. For example, business management subjects can be learn by students through visual
learning where they see the things and write down in their notebooks. Here, teachers can use
high technological tools like big digital screens to show their students about different
organisational situations in corporate sector and how a manager manages each situation
effectively (Farashahi and Tajeddin, 2018). Here, teacher can supposed to recite a story where
they can present an organisational situation and ask their students to solve the situation. Hence,
visual as well as audio teaching method can be opted by teacher to teach business management
subjects to their students. Teachers can also use discussing teaching style for teaching their
business management students where the teacher and all students together discuss on a particular
topic and put their point of view in front of others. This type of teaching style will help to
analyse different ideas to solve any business issue. Here, teacher can also analyse the capability
of students and whether the student understands the issues clearly or not.
On the other hand, Mathematical teacher can use experimental technique of teaching for
the students where their students can learn in mathematical laboratories and perform
mathematical equations over there to understand the concepts well (Voskoglou, 2019).
Mathematical teachers can also use problem solving teaching method for their students because
the students of mathematical intelligence are having high problem solving skill and they can
easily learn the concepts and numerical problem by solving them. Students of zoology or botany
can learn through simulation learning method where teachers construct an artificial environment
of nature and make sure that their students will learn the concepts clearly by experiencing the
man made environment (Yli-Panula and et. al., 2018). For examples, teachers can construct
different kinds of trees and animals and make them arrange within a room with wallpaper of

natural environment. Teachers can ask their students to visit the room and explore different
artificial trees and animals and understand their characteristics well for their academic learning.
Hence, the teacher of zoology and botany can adopt simulation teaching method for their
students to lean effectively. Delegating teaching style can also be used for the students who are
learning zoology and botany because here teachers assign task to students on individual basis or
in a group wise. Here, students can give task to collect information about different species of
plants and trees in group and prepare their presentation to understand the concept. When students
collect information them self and present it to other groups than this will help to enhance their
confidence level, self independency in learning and also helps in enhancing their capabilities to
understand the things.
For the subjects like music, dance and acting, teachers are supposed to pay personal
attention on each of the student so that they will help their students to analyse where they are
performing well and where they are conducting mistake in learning such kinds of sensitive
subjects. Hence, personalised teaching method can be used by the music teacher, dance teacher
and acting teacher to focus on each student appropriately (An and et. al., 2019). This teaching
style will help the students to learn in a better manner by gaining teachers personalised attention
toward their performance. The directing style of teaching method can also used by the teachers
of dance, acting and music because this teaching style states that teacher will show the direction
to their students and give them instructions that what they should do and at what time.
Hence, from the above information it is clearly evaluated that teachers can use teaching
method on the basis of the nature of their subject and capabilities of their students to learn the
specific subject effectively.

Conclusion
From the above information it is concluded that there are different intelligence types
within the theory of Howard Gardner. For example, naturalistic intelligence is presented in those
individuals who are interested to know and to explore the natural environment. These kinds of
people like camping, hiking and many other adventurous activities. Logical mathematical
intelligence people are good at problem solving skill and they are good to solve numerical issues
effectively. They are considered as creative and very concern and dedicated to solve the
numerical issues. Hence, this theory suggests that every student has different learning style due
to their different kind of intelligence and hobbies. Teachers are required to adopt those teaching
method which help their students to enhance their learning. A teacher must analyse the nature of
their subject and identify the teaching style which is best suitable for their students to lean their
specific subject

References
Books and Journals
An, S. and et. al., 2019. Teaching numbers through dance: Developing a choreography-themed
mathematics curriculum for earlychildhood students. Journal of Dance Education, 19(4),
pp.148-157.
Cavas, B. and Cavas, P., 2020. Multiple intelligences theory—Howard Gardner. In Science
education in theory and practice (pp. 405-418). Springer, Cham.
Chen, J.Q. and Gardner, H., 2018. Assessment from the Perspective of Multiple-Intelligences
Theory. Contemporary Intellectual Assessment: Theories, Tests, and Issues, p.164.
Dai, D.Y., 2020. Introduction to the special issue on rethinking human potential: A tribute to
Howard Gardner. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 43(1), pp.3-11.
Faidah, N. and et. al., 2019. Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) Sebagai Sebuah
Pendekatan pada Pengembangan Modul Matematika Berbasis Teori Multiple
Intelligences Howard Gardner. Indonesian Journal of Science and Mathematics
Education, 2(3), pp.328-332.
Farashahi, M. and Tajeddin, M., 2018. Effectiveness of teaching methods in business education:
A comparison study on the learning outcomes of lectures, case studies and
simulations. The international journal of Management Education, 16(1), pp.131-142.
Ganiev, A.G., Ganieva, S.A. and Bahodirova, G.B., 2021. The Importance Of Applying “Multi-
Intelligence Theory” To The Educational Process. The American Journal of Applied
sciences, 3(03), pp.93-103.
Moran, S. and Gardner, H., 2018. Hill, skill, and will: executive function from a multiple-
intelligences perspective.
Voskoglou, M., 2019. Comparing teaching methods of mathematics at university
level. Education Sciences, 9(3), p.204.
Yli-Panula, E. and et. al., 2018. Teaching methods in biology promoting biodiversity
education. Sustainability, 10(10), p.3812.