A Reflection

            Howard Gardner developed the theory of Multiple Intelligences and they resonated with me.  But what surprised me most from him were his three primary lessons for educators Individualize, Pluralize, and to Drop the term “styles” (2013).  The last lesson of dropping the term styles stood out to me.  I have found when speaking with SMEs and some instructors they either have no understanding of learning styles or they latch on to the concept as the only way to approach training.  Pashler, McDaniel, Rohre and Bjork point out that “…there is no adequate evidence base to justify incorporating learning-styles assessments into general educational practice” (2009).  This has been a common discussion point for me when creating needs analyses throughout my career.

Howard Gardner’s Eight Multiple Intelligences (Linguistic, Logical-mathematical, Spatial, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Musical, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalist) provide a framework to understand one’s strengths when it comes to learning.  Thomas Armstrong’s MI Inventory offers a way to assess one’s own Multiple Intelligences to apply to their teaching (2009).  I was surprised at how I identified with many of the Multiple Intelligences (especially Interpersonal and Naturalist), but not surprised that I was low on the Logical-Mathematical abilities.  Math has always been a challenge for me.

John Keller’s MVP (Motivation, Volition and Performance) Model (2008) has proven useful to me in my career.  When considering how best to approach a train the trainer course the MVP model of motivation, volition, and performance helped provide the framework from external inputs to outputs.  Gagne’s nine events of instruction helps me to explain how to the SME how the course should flow, while the MVP model helps the SME (in this case) understand how to move the learner along the path.

References

Armstrong, T. (2009). Multiple intelligences in the classroom (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Garnder, H. (2013). Howard Gardner: ‘Multiple intelligences’ are not ‘learning styles’ – The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2013/10/16/howard-gardner-multiple-intelligences-are-not-learning-styles/

Keller, J. M. (2008). An integrative theory of motivation, volition, and performance. Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning, 6(2), 79-104. Retrieved from http://www.oldcitypublishing.com/FullText/TICLfulltext/TICL6.2fulltext/TICLv6n2p79-104Keller.pdf

Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2009). Learning Styles: Concepts and Evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105-119. doi:10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x