Using Multiple Intelligences to Motivate Students

The purpose of this reflection is to better understand the relationship between multiple intelligences, motivation, and academic achievement. The problem is that some students seem to lack motivation, which Multiple Intelligence Theory could potentially address. This could lead to increased academic achievement as well. Multiple Intelligence suggests that individuals have seven to eleven distinct intelligences. Teachers using a Multiple Intelligence approach often increase student motivation, which correlates to an increase in student learning and achievement in the K-6 social studies classroom. Two findings were of particular note. The first finding is that a growth mindset compliments Multiple Intelligence Theory so well that both can and should be used in conjunction with each other to help students realize their fullest potential. The second finding is that motivation is a key component of intrapersonal intelligence specifically, so developing intrapersonal intelligence can lead to increased intrinsic motivation, which can lead to increased learning and achievement for students. Suggestions are included for how teachers and instructional designers can integrate Multiple Intelligence Theory into their work. Recommendations for further research are also included.