Learning Theories

Since 1983, when Howard Gardner published the book, Frames of Mind, multiple intelligence theory has been embraced by educators as a tool for understanding and effectively meeting the learning needs of their students.

Today, the Internet is teeming with resources on Multiple Intelligence Theory and Dr. Howard Gardner. But which are the most recent and reliable? This guide presents the best resources on multiple intelligences and Howard Gardner.

Multiple Intelligence Theory (MIT) and Applications
Of the many multiple intelligence articles available online, Miami University professor Lawrence W. Sherman's article, "Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences" is one of the best. It includes a background on multiple intelligences and detailed descriptions of the nine intelligences proposed by Gardner as well as one suggested by Sherman. The article links to student papers on individuals who might reflect each intelligence, and includes a personal multiple intelligence inventory and a guide to lesson planning with the multiple intelligences.

EdWeb offers a clear and concise resource, "MI - The Theory". This site features information on each of the eight intelligences, and acknowledges that a ninth intelligence - existential intelligence - is being considered. It includes links to related topics.

Although Gardner resisted the notion that a psychometric test could measure a single intelligence, he apparently endorses The Multiple Intelligence Development Assessment Scales (MIDAS).

A number of resources examine the application of multiple intelligence theory. A complete issue of the newsletter, Focus on Basics is dedicated to MI and adult education, with articles including "MI, the GED, and Me," "An MI Route Around Resistance," "Multiple Assignments for Multiple Intelligences" and more.

Dee Dickinson presents another article about the application of multiple intelligence theory, "How Technology Enhances the Eight Intelligences." The article is child-oriented, but learners and educators of all ages will find value in the central concepts.

Howard Gardner Biographies

Several Howard Gardner biographies appear online. What is probably the most recent, reliable and interesting bio appears on the Project Zero site, an educational research group at Harvard co-directed by Gardner. This bio is updated regularly and includes personal insight in Gardner's own words.

Also worth a visit is a Gardner bio which appears in the context of the "History of the Influences in the Development of Intelligence Theory and Testing." Plucker and Monson of Indiana University develop and maintain this highly recommended collection of resources.

Howard Gardner Interviews

Gardner is a popular speaker, and there are numerous Gardner interviews online in the form of transcripts, online chats, audio and video files.

If you have a keen musical intelligence, you will enjoy listening to Gardner talk about the nine intelligences he has proposed (linguistic, mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily/kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal, naturalist and existential). You may also be interested in Gardner's discussion of the musical intelligence at the New York Philharmonic Opening Night Gala in 1997.

In September, 1999, Dr. Anthony Bott of Teachers.Net facilitated a chat on the multiple intelligences.