Definition This approach to learning emphasizes the fact that individuals perceive and process information in very different ways. The learning styles theory implies that how much individuals learn has more to do with whether the educational experience is geared toward their particular style of learning than whether or not they are “smart.” In fact, educators should not ask, “Is this student smart?” but rather “How is this student smart?” Discussion The concept of learning styles is rooted in the classification of psychological types. The learning styles theory is based on research demonstrating that, as the result of heredity, upbringing, and [...]

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Each individual child is different and special in his own way, which means he also learns in his own way. Along with using his right and left-brain in combination, he has to make split-second decisions and tap into his emotional intelligence. But, along with all that, he has a special learning style that works best for him, and connecting with his multiple intelligences only boosts his abilities to greater lengths. Defining Multiple-Intelligences Multiple-intelligences are the concept and understanding that individuals learn in different ways and are more apt to retain knowledge when information is presented in a certain way. Howard [...]

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Definition This approach views learning as an act of membership in a “community of practice.” The theory seeks to understand both the structure of communities and how learning occurs in them. Basic Elements The communities of practice concept was pioneered by the Institute for Research on Learning, a spin-off of the Xerox Corporation in Palo Alto, CA. The Institute pursues a cross-disciplinary approach to learning research, involving cognitive scientists, organizational anthropologists, and traditional educators. Communities of practice is based on the following assumptions: Learning is fundamentally a social phenomenon. People organize their learning around the social communities to which they [...]

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Definition This theory of human intelligence, developed by psychologist Howard Gardner, suggests there are at least seven ways that people have of perceiving and understanding the world. Gardner labels each of these ways a distinct “intelligence”–in other words, a set of skills allowing individuals to find and resolve genuine problems they face. Discussion Gardner defines an “intelligence” as a group of abilities that: Is somewhat autonomous from other human capacities Has a core set of information-processing operations Has a distinct history in the stages of development we each pass through Has plausible roots in evolutionary history While Gardner suggests his [...]

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