Vol.

I (LXIII)
No. 1/2011

80 - 85

Students learning style and Multiple Intelligence profile

Mariana Norela, Andreea Ramona Lauren iub
a,b

Transilvania University, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brasov, Romania

Abstract
The changes in society - the transition from Information Society towards Knowledge Society led to
significant and unprecedented effects on learning. Because people must develop globally-valued skills
when knowledge is produced with an increasing speed, efficient learning to learn abilities are mandatory.
The present study represents the first stage, observant stage of an experimental research that aims to
evaluate the implications of the counseling for learning upon students achievement.
The main objective of this study is to evaluate awareness level and the preferences of their own learning
styles form Linksman R. approach and Gardner's Multiple Intelligences for the 109 full-time students
compared to 108 distance learning students. The comparison of the learning styles and multiple
intelligences students profile showed significant differences between the programs of study (full-time and
distance learning).
Keywords: learning styles, Gardner's multiple intelligences, Knowledge Society, students, learning to learn
ability

1. Introduction
The explosion of information together with new technologies and communication
are key aspects and requirements in the same time. Education in the era of Knowledge is
directly influenced by economic, technology and social changes. Taking into
consideration Carnoy and Castells point of view: "In a society where education,
information, and knowledge are the critical sources of wealth and influence, class
formation takes place in the classroom." (Carnoy, Castells, 1999), we consider that these
changes of rapport between Education and Knowledge (Cucos, 2006), (knowledge being
mainly transmitted through the educational system), alter both the teachers and the
students perception upon learning and education. In Andy Hargreavess opinion the
knowledge society is really a learning society [] by process information and
knowledge in ways that maximize learning, stimulate ingenuity and invention and
develop the capacity to initiate and cope with change. (Hargreaves, 2003). Under these
conditions the way that people learn will be different. Lifelong Learning must include
efficient learning to learn abilities, global abilities in order to use the most of their own
possibilities, but in the same time to valorize all the opportunities that technology and
society offers. Personality traits as learning styles, intelligence, motivation, selfperception and self-confidence, cognitive style, brain lateralization, and so on, together
with sociological and environmental factors and specific characteristics of the tasks are
only some of the elements that develop the learning to learn abilities.
Many studies and researchers tried to find out more about the learning process, we try
to evaluate the profile of learning styles and multiple intelligence for student from two
Corresponding author. Tel.\fax: +40 0268-416185;
E-mail address: mariananorel@unitbv.ro