Critics Of Howard Gardner's Theory Of Multiple Intelligences

There are many thoughts and theories when it comes to learning styles. The Theory of Multiple Intelligences is one such idea that could potentially assist adult learners if fully understood and accurately utilized. It is important to note that the many theories out there about learning styles and multiple intelligences are just that, theories. That is to say, the very nature of the Theory of Multiple Intelligences cannot be fully tested and therefore cannot be proclaimed as a full proof teaching guide (McGreal, 2013). Regardless of the many critics in the scientific world, there are also a number if credible scholars who are strong proponents of Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Students and teachers alike have lauded

Once an instructor realizes where their strengths are within multiple intelligences it will guide them in their teaching techniques. It will help them understand where their strengths are and which techniques fall within those strengths. The Theory of Multiple Intelligences also has the unique ability in that it almost forces instructors to collaborate with each other in order to teach utilizing all eight groups of intelligences (Armstrong, 2009). Each student has some level of all eight intelligences and through observation, an instructor can determine where their strengths lie (Armstrong, 2009). When an instructor is teaching a group of students, the best way to ensure that each student is absorbing the lesson is by changing the teaching technique. An instructor can begin by writing a description about the lesson on the white board and then transition into having the students become interactive and create products based on the lesson. Janet Brougher is an associate professor who teaches Masters of Education students. She has a published article in Adult Learning, which is a scholarly journal. In her lessons she has used the principles of multiple intelligences, and has often had students participate in group collages and other activities all the while having music playing in the background. In her experiences, she has observed that, “…adults begin experiencing a richness and enjoyment in learning they thought they had outgrown or in many cases never experienced” (Brougher, 1997, p. 28). This is simply one example out of many that demonstrate the success of utilizing the principles of multiple intelligences in adult