Eric.ed.gov – Adult Multiple Intelligences and Math.

In the Adult Multiple Intelligences (AMI) study, 10 teachers of adults from the northeastern region of the United States explored for 18 months the ways that multiple intelligences (MI) theory could support instruction and assessment in various adult learning contexts. The results of this research were published in a book by Julie Viens called MI Grows Up. Two themes identified in the book, MI reflections and MI-inspired instruction, relate specifically to math instruction for adult learners. MI reflections focuses on ways to teach about MI theory and how to use it as a tool for student self-reflection and self-understanding. By creating AMI profiles for adult learners in an adult secondary education class, the researcher had success helping the learners identify the intelligences of problems or questions and suggesting how best to approach them using their own intelligences. MI-inspired instruction encourages teachers to analyze their own instructional practice and provide students with a range of learning opportunities based on student strengths and interests. By creating open-ended assignments which took into account the multiple intelligences of groups of students, the researcher was able to teach math skills in a variety of ways that provided authentic learning experiences to adult students. (Contains 4 references.) (MO)