Even as a seven-year-old school kid, I used to have a unique interpretation of the term ‘intelligence’. Somehow, my childhood brain conveyed to me a simple message: your academic scores in exams as well as your classroom performance were some of the crucial yardsticks that measured your personal level of intelligence.
As I grew up, I discovered that my judgement was absolutely flawless, at least, to some extent.
For, the average level of intelligence in students have traditionally always been calculated by aptitude tests that evaluate proficiency in subjects like Math and reading. You must have observed that such a practice of measuring human IQ (intelligence quotient) continues even till the present-day. This is one of the major factors that spark anxiety among students who have cleared their school finals –uncertain of their intelligence required to qualify for a particular course or to complete it successfully.
So, you might have applied for a distance learning diploma course in clinical psychology. Prior to your entrance exam preparations, you start contemplating if you are armed with an adequate amount of intelligence necessary to crack the final exams of this course!
Now, in order to make your learning experience really productive, you should be aware of your ‘intelligence type’.
A distinct idea about your intelligence type would assist you in customizing your study habits to accomplish your learning goals and eventually arrive at the destination of success.
The Concept of Multiple Intelligences at a Glance
Although we associate intelligence with a single letter grade or IQ, determining intelligence is truly a challenge that is tricky enough.
Do you know why it is so?
Well, it is simply due to the fact that intelligence is multi-dimensional. For instance, you could be highly efficient in Science subjects, but detestable when it comes to penning an imaginative short story or an essay. However, this does not signify that you are not intelligent. Intelligence can be defined as the sum total of numerous aptitudes essential for reasoning any topic or subject logically and effortlessly.
This is exactly what ‘multiple intelligences’ stand for.
During the 1980’s, an academician from Harvard University, known as Howard Gardner developed the idea of multiple intelligences. He established the fact that students learn in different ways, since each and every learner possesses an individual learning trait that is unique. Because, every student is blessed with a distinctive combination of intelligence.
Gardner arrived at the conclusion that there exists nine types of intelligences.
Your intelligence might vary greatly from that of your friend’s, depending on your natural environment, genes and the way you have been raised.
How to Improve your Intelligences?
Are you wondering if there are any secret strategies that help you improve your intelligences? Indeed, there are many. Continue reading to realize the top study tips for multiple intelligences in the following paragraphs:
#1. Visual Intelligence
Referred to as the ‘picture smart’, visual intelligence is the ability of students to visualize the information that they receive, in their mind. Such learners are able to express themselves in all forms of art and creativity, which is the reason they are also termed as ‘spatial learners’. They can paint, sketch pictures and are great with presenting information through ‘charts’ and paintings.
Tips for students with visual intelligence:
#2. Intrapersonal Intelligence
Intrapersonal people are highly introspective and boast of excellent self-reflective capabilities. They can analyze their strengths and weaknesses perfectly and are knowledgeable about that special element that makes them strikingly different from their peers. If you possess intrapersonal intelligence, you might consider yourself to be ‘self-smart’.
Tips for students with intrapersonal intelligence:
#3. Musical Intelligence
Some students are ‘music-smart’, and can interpret lessons if they are presented through a musical rhythm. For, they are sensitive to different kinds of rhythm, music, tones and sounds. They are also referred to as ‘auditory-musical’ individuals as they are capable of singing, composing music and also playing musical instruments.
Tips for students with musical intelligence:
#4. Interpersonal Intelligence
Such ‘people smart’ learners are incredibly social, and are known as interpersonal people. They love the idea of collaborating on group assignments and projects, expressing their ideas and thoughts in front of people and interacting actively with people. They are found to be really sensitive to the feelings of others.
Tips for students with interpersonal intelligence:
#5. Linguistic Intelligence
If you have a way with phrases, letters and words, be rest assured that you are ‘word smart’. Or, in other words, a verbal or linguistic person. These kind of people are fond of indulging in word games and writing down stories or notes. Similar to interpersonal students, linguistic students also share a passion of discussing information with others.
Tips for students with linguistic intelligence:
#6. Kinesthetic Intelligence
A typical classroom might also comprise students who find lectures quite monotonous, and instead they learn better if bodily movements are incorporated in classroom sessions. Such students are called ‘kinesthetic’ or ‘bodily students’. They are actually ‘body smart’. And, enjoy working with their hands and creating things with dexterity. They even love staying outdoors and studying in the form of play! Kinesthetic people are attracted to physical activities including acting, dancing and all kinds of games.
Tips for students with kinesthetic intelligence:
#7. Mathematical Intelligence
Now comes the ‘number smart’ category of students. Can you guess who these people are? Well, as the name suggests, this kind of people are hand and glove with numbers and equations. They seem to be born with an innate ability to solve the toughest problems and include people like mathematicians and engineers.
Tips for students with mathematical intelligence:
#8. Naturalist Intelligence
The concept of naturalist intelligence had been added by Howard Gardner in the year 1995. People with this kind of intelligence discover that they are able to relate and connect more with the natural environment consisting of birds, plants, flowers and animals.
Tips for students with naturalist intelligence:
#9. Existential Intelligence
The multiple intelligence theory also speaks about ‘spiritual intelligence’. Gardner has proposed about this intelligence during the year 1999. Researchers are exploring this type of intelligence.
So, what kind of an intelligence has God bestowed you with? I hope you can identify your ‘intelligence type’ from the list I have provided you. Wishing you all the best, dear students!