Learning Styles, Multiple Intelligences, and Differentiated Instruction
Introduction and Self-Assessments
- Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles
E. Giles, S. Pitre, and S. Womack, University of Georgia
A comprehensive site providing a research-based introduction for both multiple intelligences and learning styles, explanation of the eight intelligences and the four learning styles, and practical applications for teachers and students
- The Nuts and Bolts of Understanding Differentiated Instruction
New York Department of Education (2008)
A basic introductory PowerPoint presentation to differentiated instruction in the classroom
- “Understanding Student Differences”
by R.M. Felder and R. Brent, in Journal of Engineering Education, 94 (1), 57-72 (2005).
An article that examines three aspects of student diversity (learning styles; approaches to learning and orientations to studying; and intellectual development) and the pedagogical implications for each
Learning Styles
Learn More Indiana
An introduction to learning styles for a student audience; includes an online self-assessment -
Index of Learning Styles Questionnaire
B.A. Soloman and R. M. Felder
North Carolina State University
An online instrument for assessing one’s learning style
- Learning Styles Quiz
Peterson’s Education Planner
Online interactive quiz for students to discover their individual learning styles
- How Do You Learn?
Ithaca College
An inventory to help students assess how they prefer to learn
- VARK: A Guide to Learning Styles
A questionnaire that helps students identify their preferred learning style(s) and offers help sheets for learners that correlate study practices to VARK preferences
- Learning Style Assessment
Learn More Indiana
An online test for students to assess their own learning style and receive instant results
- Multiple Intelligences: It’s Not How Smart You Are, It’s How You’re Smart!
An introduction to Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligence theory, from articles and interviews to classroom applications
- Multiple Intelligences
Thomas Armstrong
A brief look at the concept that anything can be taught or learned eight different ways.
- Take a Test for Multiple Intelligences
Birmingham Grid for Learning (BGfL) Multiple Intelligences
Offers a test for multiple intelligences in both text version (English) and audio version (multilingual options)
- Howard Gardner Theory of Multiple Intelligences
InFed
Background on the life and educational contributions of Howard Gardner.
- Multiple Intelligences
Drexel University
An introduction to multiple intelligences and assessment tool for measuring multiple intelligences
Using Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences to Differentiate Instruction
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How to differentiate instruction in mixed-ability classrooms, by C.A. Tomlinson.
Alexandria, Va.: ASCD, 1995.
Practical guidance in addressing the diverse needs of students by providing multiple approaches to content, process, and product, and by blending whole-class, group, and individual instruction [Virginia public educators may borrow this book from the CTE Resource Center Library (call no. RD120.208).]
- Differentiating instruction for mixed-ability classrooms (kit with videorecording), developed by C.A. Tomlinson. Alexandria, Va.: ASCD, 1996.
A video accompanied by folders addressing topics such as organization for differentiated instruction; differentiating products, content, and activities; creating a differentiated unit; and managing a differentiated classroom [Virginia public educators may borrow this book from the CTE Resource Center Library (call no. AV400.039).]
- The Differentiated Classroom: Responding to the Needs of All Learners, by C.A. Tomlinson. Alexandria, Va.: ASCD, 1999.
Helps teachers to engage students through different learning modalities, by appealing to differing interests and by using varied instructional strategies [Virginia public educators may borrow this book from the CTE Resource Center Library (call no. TC100.004).]
- How to: Adjust Your Teaching Style to Your Students’ Learning Style
Teachers Network.
A series of questions designed to help teachers in mixed ability classrooms to develop and provide standards-based instruction
- Teaching for the Success of All Learning Styles
J. Shindler, California State University, Los Angeles
Emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own teaching style and developing effective classroom strategies based on those styles (See tables 1 and 2 for specific examples)
- Using Differentiated Instruction
S. Longert
Teachers Network
Discusses five key concepts for differentiated instruction (content, process, product, affect, learning environment) and teaching strategies related to each
- Learning Styles and Strategies
By R.M. Felder and B.A. Soloman, North Carolina State University.
Describes different categories of learners, and suggests strategies appropriate for each type of learner
- Teach to Students’ Learning Styles
Everything ESL
Gives a brief description of each learning style and how to teach to each in an ESL setting
- Special Needs Ontario Window: Teaching Strategies
Special Needs Ontario Window: Emerging Technologies
Offers strategies and technologies for teaching students who have any of a variety of special needs, ranging from behavioral disorders, to physical disabilities, to language or other learning difficulties
- Multiple Intelligences: A Lesson Plan
A Discovery Education lesson that helps high school students understand Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence and its implications for schools and society
- How Technology Enhances Howard Gardner’s Eight Intelligences
America Tomorrow
Presents a series of suggestions for ways computers, multimedia, the Internet, and other technologies apply to learning for each of the eight intelligences. Article was written in 1998, but most principles still apply to today’s teaching environment.
- Accommodations and Modifications in the CTE Classroom Instruction
Career Technical Special Populations Training & Resource Education Center
AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M System
A variety of links, including online videos, that describe lab modifications, curricular adaptations, and other strategies for differentiated teaching in the CTE classroom
- Enhance Learning with Technology: Strategies for Differentiating
P. Theroux
Presents strategies for four ways of differentiating instruction (content, process, product, and environment)
- Using Differentiated Instruction
Teachers Network
A site on how teachers can adjust their teaching style to their students’ learning styles
- Differentiating Instruction for Advanced Learners in the Mixed-Ability Middle School Classroom
C.A. Tomlinson
Includes sections on “Characteristics of a Differentiated Class,” “How to Think about Differentiating Instruction,” and “Strategies for Managing a Differentiated Classroom”
Specific Strategies for Differentiating Instruction
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Scaffolding
S. Longert
Teachers Network
Describes strategies for using scaffolding to provide students with contextual supports.
- Scaffolding
D. Buehl
Wisconsin Education Association Council
An explanation of scaffolding as a teaching technique that uses principles similar to those of apprenticeship
- Classwide Peer Tutoring
Special Connections. University of Kansas
Explains the procedures and benefits of classwide peer tutoring for the full spectrum of students
- An Overview of Kathie Nunley’s Layered Curriculum
K.F. Nunley
Layer Communication
For samples of CTE-related lessons, see links to Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Business/Technical.
- Assessment and Rubric Information
Discovery Education
Includes lots of links for rubrics, graphic organizers, and alternative assessment tools
- Graphic Organizers
Teacher vision
Features a wide variety of graphic organizers for reading, science, writing, math, and general use
- Graphic Organizers
Eduplace
Offers graphic organizers to structure writing projects, and to help in problem solving, decision making, studying, planning research and brainstorming [Bilingual: English and Spanish]
- The Textmapping Project
© R. D. Middlebrook
Includes a description of textmapping as a graphic organizing tool and offers lesson guides and other related resources
- Tiering with Examples
Leaders Link
Offers a template for creating a tiered assignment
- Critical and Creative Thinking – Bloom’s Taxonomy
Teacher Tap
Provides resources for teaching creative and critical thinking skills, using layered curriculum and other techniques
- Technology and Multiple Intelligences
Teacher Tap
Scroll down to find lesson plans and other resources for linking technology with multiple-intelligence instruction
- What Are Cooperative and Collaborative Learning?
Concept to Classroom
Describes the techniques and benefits of cooperative and collaborative learning for the full spectrum of students
- Student Project Assessment
Teacher Tap
Offers resources for using rubrics to assess student technology projects
- Project-Based Learning Checklists
4Teachers.org
An evaluation checklist generator for project-based learning, including grades 9–12 [Bilingual: English and Spanish]
- Teacher Tools and Resources
Teachnology
Contains generator for crossword puzzles, graphic organizers, word search makers, and other classroom tools
- Portfolios
Authentic Assessment Toolbox
J. Mueller
Provides a rationale for portfolio assessment and a process for creating them
- Glossary of Instructional Strategies
Plasma Link Web Services
Includes links for more than 800 “educational strategies, theories, and activities”
- Differentiating Instruction: Effective Strategies to Improve Student Performance
Learners Link
Scroll down to Differentiation Topics
Sample Differentiated Lessons and Activities
- Differentated Instruction Middle and High School Lessons
Leon County (FL) Teachers’ Lessons
For CTE examples, click on Budgeting Life Skills (Gr. 4-8) and Food Pyramid (Gr. 4-12).
- Photojournalism Tiered Lesson Plan
Ball State University
Presents a photojournalism lesson for grades 10-12 tiered according to student learning style
- Lesson Plan Ideas
The Hampton Net Gazette: Multiple Intelligences
Presents a chart for each type of intelligence, suggesting classroom activities for seven school subject areas
- Differentiated Curriculum
Oregon Department of Education
Sample differentiated lessons for talented and gifted students, grades 9-12
- Genetics
N. Walker
Help4Teachers
Sample differentiated lesson for high school biology or health science course
- Botany
K. Golin
Help4Teachers
Sample differentiated lesson for high school biology or agricultural science
- Force/Motion
Dixon Unified School District (California)
Sample differentiated lesson for grade 8 science
