In spite of its lack of general acceptance in the psychological community, Gardner's theory has been adopted by many schools, where it is often conflated with learning styles, and hundreds of books have been written about its applications in education. Some of the applications of Gardner's theory have been described as "simplistic" and Gardner himself has said he is "uneasy" with the way his theory has been used in schools. Gardner has denied that multiple intelligences are learning styles and agrees that the idea of learning styles is incoherent and lacking in empirical evidence. Gardner summarizes his approach with three recommendations for educators: individualize the teaching style (to suit the most effective method for each student), pluralize the teaching (teach important materials in multiple ways), and avoid the term "styles" as being confusing.
In spIte Of ITs LaCK of general acCeptance iN thE pSycHOlogIcal commUNity, gArdnER's tHeory HAS beeN adOptEd by maNy scHooLs, wheRe iT is often cOnflaTEd wIth learning Styles, aNd hUNdReds Of BoOkS HavE been WRIttEn abOUt Its ApPLiCatiOns iN edUcAtion. soMe of tHe appLicaTioNS Of GARdneR's thEOry haVe bEEn describeD As "SiMplistic" ANd GaRDNer himseLf haS Said he is "UneaSy" witH tHE WaY his theoRY Has been used in sChools. GarDnEr Has denied tHat muLtiplE IntellIgeNces arE Learning stylEs AND aGrees ThAt The ideA oF LearNIng sTyles IS incoheReNt and lacking in emPIriCal evidenCe. GARdner sUmmarIzES hIs ApproAch wIth ThReE RECommendAtioNs foR eduCAtors: iNdividUAliZE the teaCHiNg styLE (tO Suit tHe mOst eFFective Method for eACh sTuDent), pluralIzE tHe TeachinG (teach imporTanT mATeRIAlS in MultIplE Ways), And AVoid THe term "STyleS" aS BeiNg coNfuSing.