Action Research Study: Effects of Multiple Intelligences Based Instruction on Students’ Attitudes and Achievement?--Figure 1

Figure 1

American schools have traditionally favored those students who excel in the linguistic and analytical arenas because these skills are highly valued in our culture. Unfortunately, this traditional approach leaves certain students behind to stumble blindly through an educational system that ignores their unique abilities. This action research study seeks to show that instructional activities that incorporate the multiple intelligences can improve students' attitudes toward learning and students' academic achievement in English class.

The Multiple Intelligences

Verbal-Linguistic: the intelligence of words

Those possessing the verbal-linguistic intelligence are sensitive to the meanings, sounds, and rhythms of words. They love reading, poetry, tongue twisters, puns, humor, puzzles, and riddles.

Logical-Mathematical: the intelligence of numbers and reasoning

Those possessing the logical-mathematical intelligence enjoy number games, problem solving, pattern games, and experimenting. They also do well with writing that involves exposition, argumentation, definition, classification, and analysis.

Spatial: the intelligence of pictures and images

Those possessing the spatial intelligence respond to visual cues and they like to invent and design.

Bodily-Kinesthetic: the intelligence of the whole body and the hands

Those possessing the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence enjoy dramatics, role-playing, dancing, and physical expression.

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Musical: the intelligence of tone, rhythm, and timbre

Those possessing the musical intelligence enjoy playing instruments, singing, and drumming, and they like the sounds of the human voice, environmental sounds, and instrumental sounds. It has been described as hearing patterns.

Interpersonal: the intelligence of social understanding

Those possessing the interpersonal intelligence are social and are in tune with the feelings of others. They make excellent leaders, can help their peers, and work cooperatively with others.

Intrapersonal: the intelligence of self-knowledge

Those possessing the intrapersonal intelligence like to work independently. They are self-motivated and self-aware.

Naturalist: the intelligence of the natural world

Those possessing the naturalist intelligence can recognize and classify elements from the natural world and can use that ability productively (e.g. farming or biological science).

Adapted from: Armstrong, 1994; Meyer, 1997; Reiff, 1996; and Smagorinsky,1991.

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The author is a writer, a former English teacher, and the mother of three boys. She spends her time writing and teaching others to write. Visit articles.TheWritingTutor.biz for more articles or TheWritingTutor.biz for other writing and educational resources for young authors, teachers, and parents. Visit writing_editing_service.TheWritingTutor.biz for a description of writing and editing services provided by the author.

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Multiple Intelligences Action Research

Figure 1

The Multiple Intelligences