Understanding Your Student's Learning Preference: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

April 24, 2023 byConnections Academy

4 min to read

Student and Learning Coach discussing online learning

All children have their preferred learning styles, and students—especially those enrolled in online public schools like Connections Academy—find more success academically when their teachers and Learning Coaches recognize their strengths and weaknesses as learners.

What are Learning Preferences?

Learning preferences are how students come to understand and retain information. Basically, it is how students learn best. Teachers often use multiple methods to teach material in a classroom setting.

For example, if students are learning about volcanos, a teacher would know how to teach intrapersonal learners by allowing them to research the impact on landscapes after an eruption on their own rather than by forcing them to learn solely through a group project because they have a more solitary learning style and may struggle to engage with information while also trying to interact with other students.

8 Most Common Learning Preferences and Styles

Verbal-Linguistic Learning Style (Word Smart) – People who possess this learning style learn best through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Verbal students absorb information by engaging with reading materials and by discussing and debating ideas.
Logical-Mathematical Learning Style (Logic Smart) – Those who exhibit this type of intelligence learn by classifying, categorizing, and thinking abstractly about patterns, relationships, and numbers.
Visual-Spatial Learning Style (Picture Smart) – These people learn best by drawing or visualizing things using the mind’s eye. Visual people learn the most from pictures, diagrams, and other visual aids.
Auditory-Musical Learning Style (Music Smart) – Students who are music smart learn using rhythm or melody, especially by singing or listening to music.
Bodily-Kinesthetic Learning Style (Body Smart) – Body-smart individuals learn best through touch and movement. These people are best at processing information through the body. Sometimes kinesthetic learners work best standing up and moving rather than sitting still.
Interpersonal Learning Style (People Smart) – Those who are people-smart learn through relating to others by sharing, comparing, and cooperating. Interpersonal learners can make excellent group leaders and team players.
Intrapersonal Learning Style (SelfSmart) – Intrapersonal learners learn best by working alone and setting individual goals. Intrapersonal learners are not necessarily shy; they are independent and organized.
Naturalistic Learning Style (Nature Smart) – Naturalistics learn by working with nature. Naturalistic students enjoy learning about living things and natural events. They may excel in the sciences and be very passionate about environmental issues.

Can Someone Have More than One Learning Style?

Combinations of the different types of intelligence happen frequently. For example, a hiker fascinated by birdsongs might have strong auditory-musical and naturalistic intelligences, supplemented by bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. Their classmates skilled in solving puzzles and discerning patterns may combine logical-mathematical intelligence with visual-spatial intelligence.

All these learning styles indicate different ways of interacting with the world. Everyone has some degree of each, but each person favors certain learning styles. This is significant because when your child prefers one learning style over another, it affects their success.

A Learning Coach supporting their student’s learning style.

How Can I Know What my Student’s Learning Style Is?

If you’re having trouble identifying your student’s learning style or preference, imagine that your child is tackling a written essay or report. Help them discover what their learning preference is by having them consider these different methods:

Logical-Mathematical 

Use a graphic organizer such as a web or story map to categorize and organize thoughts before writing. An outline is a written version of a graphic organizer.

Visual-Spatial

Draw or design the subject of the piece, and then write or create the written draft. Details in the drawing will lead to details in the writing.

Auditory-Musical

Listen to background music to block out other, distracting sounds. 

How Learning Styles Apply in the Classroom

Finding, recognizing, and valuing different combinations of multiple intelligences is a key to applying these skills effectively. Sometimes an intrapersonal learner and an interpersonal learner working together will be in conflict. But when both take a step back and consider their differing outlooks, they may find that they’re both headed for the same result; they’re just taking different paths to arrive at the same goal. After graduation, professionals such as these two learners might team up to create or advance a new, successful idea!

Once you and your child have a better idea of what their learning preferences are, sit down with them and discuss some new study tactics that take advantage of their newfound strengths. Keep in mind, though, that the theory of multiple intelligences is fluid; learning preferences can change and grow over a lifetime of living and learning, and none are necessarily carved in stone.