Multi-Sensory Manipulatives in Mathematics: Linking the Abstract to the Concrete
Judith L. Bellonio
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Types of Learners
Research by Howard Gardner has indicated eight distinct "intelligences" which are the essential ways by which people learn. In general, "only two of the intelligences are taught " . They are the linguistic intelligence and mathematical/logical intelligence. The linguistically oriented learners have an innate love of language. They often have well-developed vocabularies and their fluent use of language includes a richness of expression and elaboration. Reading, writing, editing, listening and speaking opportunities are enjoyed. Working with books and diverse printed materials, records, tapes, lectures, word processors, etc. are pleasurable activities for these learners. The logically-mathematically-oriented learners enjoy forming concepts, looking for patterns and relationships, and doing activities in a sequential manner. They like to arrange the steps of a project into a sensible order or timeline and desire time to complete each component. These learners enjoy opportunities to problem solve, learn quantities or facts and have time to explore new concepts. They often ask many questions and desire logical and clear explanations. Problem solving, working with games, kits and puzzles, collecting, classifying, organizing information tasks and people are enjoyable pastimes. According to Gardner there is no uniform way of teaching and testing is patently unsatisfactory when everyone is so different.
