Types of Multiple Intelligence Activities

Teachers and instructors often conduct multiple Intelligence activities to assess students’ cognitive and problem-solving abilities on various levels.

But where did the concept of Multiple Intelligence come from?

And what is the significance of multiple intelligence activities in a learning environment?

You will find out a few little answers to these questions below.

Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligence

Howard Gardner put forth this theory of multiple intelligence. According to him, humans possess eight different kinds of intelligence. However, different people have varying combination of these innate talents.  Physiologically, every bit of intelligence relates to a particular part of the brain. He further explains that these eight types of intelligence may or may not work in conjunction with one another. 

Below are eight types of intelligence that an individual possesses at the time of birth according to Howard Gardner.

1.    Verbal / Linguistic

You can think and express in words. It is your intelligence which relates to verbal or linguistic skills orally as well as in the written form. Many people don't find a chance to be educated that doesn't mean they don't have verbal intelligence. In fact, they have as good gifts from nature as any person can have. It is lack of opportunity which excludes them from this level of intelligence. 

2.    Logical / Mathematical

Howard Gardner equates logical intelligence to the mathematical one. 

However, you can find many individuals around you who are good in logically thinking yet poor in various mathematical aspects. It is just the level of training and practice which leaves behind others in math, but they are as intelligent as any other person can be. When you analyze different patterns and relationships in the given diagrams, you use logical intelligence. The managers like to select individuals with high level of mathematical intelligence for management and analytical jobs. 

3.    Visual / Spatial

You recognize shapes, textures, colors, space, and form due to your spatial intelligence. Different candidates can have different levels of spatial intelligence. When you are good in this type of intelligence, you are always good at drawing, designing and structure mapping. You can solve puzzles and mazes quickly with a high level of spatial capabilities. 

4.    Bodily-Kinesthetic

How do you express your ideas and emotions? Your bodily-kinesthetic intelligence helps you to do it efficiently. With a good level of this intelligence, you can use your body to do various works better than others. 

5.    Musical Rhythmic

It is your the ability of a person to recognize and to relate to different rhythms, melodies, and pitches. The person with this intelligence can remember tunes, enjoys listening to songs and singing them and loves activities that are built around singing and dancing.

6.    Interpersonal

It is your ability in a person to sense the moods of other people around him. It helps him to communicate well by assessing the feeling and emotions of others. This kind of individual is likely to excel in making bonds, sharing and working in groups.

7.    Intrapersonal

Your ability to understand your own personality comes under the subheading intrapersonal intelligence. You need to equip yourself with this type of information to know your strengths and weaknesses. It shows your likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, preferences, and goals.

8.    Naturalistic

This is the ability of a person to enjoy everything natural around him. This individual learns to appreciate the natural world that surrounds him.

Multiple Intelligence Activities and intelligence types

Let’s look at the some Multiple Intelligence Activities that are associated with different intelligence.

1.    Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence Activities

• Crossword puzzles
• Scrabble
• Writing for school editorials
• Writing stories, letters and essays
• Listening and telling stories

2.    Logical Mathematical Intelligence Activities

• Math games like monopoly, checkers and chess
• Recognizing patterns in the surrounding
• Math games through visual interface
• Science experiments using tool kit.

3.    Visual / Spatial Intelligence Activities

• Photographic assignments
• Building with clay and other medium
• Making and using different kinds of charts and maps

4.    Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence Activities

• Creating costumes and building as well as designing props

• Acting out different scenes or performing plays

5.    Musical Rhythmic Intelligence Activities

• Adding music to poems
• Writing poems and building rhythms around it
• Performing a song or poem with music

6.    Interpersonal Intelligence Activities

• Working in groups
• Tutoring those that are behind
• Develop a group project

7.    Intrapersonal Intelligence Activities

• Writing papers and essays about famous personalities and events
• Keeping a long-period journal
• Reflective essays

8.    Naturalistic Intelligence Activities

• Looking after plants
• Researching different habitats of living things
• Collecting recyclable materials.

By using this information you can build up further Multiple Intelligence Activities around the different intelligences that make up an individual.

ShareFacebookTwitterPinterestTumblrRedditWhatsApp