It is not that some people learn well and that others don't, but that there are different ways to learn. Educators are discovering that people are diverse in their thinking and learning. As a result, we use the abilities we are most successful and comfortable with to get the most from our experiences, achieve goals, and try to answer our questions.

Different theorists classify these abilities differently. Howard Gardner (1983) proposes seven different kinds of intelligence, or approaches to working and learning. Each person has all seven intelligences but they are each of various strengths. Every student has at least one, and usually several, strong intelligences, and if allowed to work within those strengths can make significant contributions to problem solving and producing. Those seven intelligences are described below (Armstrong 1987):

• Linguistic Intelligence - this person has highly developed auditory skills, enjoys playing with words and language, likes to read, write, or tell stories, learns best by verbalizing, or hearing and seeing words.
  
• Logical-Mathematical Intelligence - this one thinks conceptually, looks for patterns and relationships, is capable of highly abstract thinking, constantly questions, likes to figure out answers to difficult questions, and enjoys brain teasers and puzzles.
  
• Spatial Intelligence - s/he thinks in images and pictures, enjoys mazes and jigsaw puzzles, enjoys drawing, designing, and building with blocks and building kits, and often develops fascination with machines and contraptions.
  
• Musical Intelligence - this type often sings, hums, or whistles to themselves, often moves and sings along with music, often plays musical instruments or sings in choirs, and is sensitive to nonverbal sounds in the environment, even hearing things others miss.
  
• Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence - this individual processes knowledge through bodily sensations, gets "gut feelings" about test answers, often possesses skills of the athlete, dancer, actor, or mime, possesses fine-motor coordination, communicates well through gestures and body language, can be labeled hyperactive, and earns best when moving or acting things out.
  
• Interpersonal Intelligence - this type of thinker understands people, frequently is a leader with peers, organizes, communicates, and possibly manipulates, excels at mediating conflict, and learns best by relating and cooperating.
  
• Intrapersonal Intelligence - this person often possesses a strong personality, prefers to be alone, possesses deep awareness of their own feelings, dreams and ideas, as well as inner wisdom, intuitive ability, or psychic nature.