Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Cognitivism in Practice


In order for our students to learn what we are teaching them, we need to learn how our students learn.  In a video I have viewed, Dr. Orey explains the cognitive learning theories help describe how our students learn.  Incorporating technology into lessons can be very beneficial to students.  One method of integrating technology from the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works is through the use of cues, questions, and advance organizers.  Cues should be straightforward and preview what the students are about to learn.  An example of this is a teacher showing a PowerPoint presentation before beginning a new book with her class.  In the presentation, she includes pictures of the living conditions from the setting of the book.  Cognitive learning theory says students are more likely to remember what they learned when they were able to see pictures too.

Another method of integrating technology is through summarizing and note taking.  In my high school math class, students are required to take notes.  Incorporating technology may help increase the amount of information students learn.  An example of this is a teacher having students take notes using a concept map in the software Inspiration.  I like this method because it does not require students to think linearly.  They do not have to move left to right and down the paper.  They start in the center bubble and add their thoughts.  This method also helps make connections that are needed to student learning, says cognitive learning theory.  These maps can include images which will also help students remember information.  Another way of effective note taking is through combination notes.  These notes are created on a word processor by the teacher.  The teacher can easily draw an upside down T.  On the left hand side, students put their notes.  On the right hand side are images.  Underneath, the students summarize the main idea.  Again, this method incorporates pictures so the students are more likely to learn and remember the material. 

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program five: Cognitive learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with
       classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Tanya,
    I like your description of the concept map with non linear possibilities- it really can appeal to so many different learning styles because the map can be arranged and modified in so many ways so long as it makes sense logically. While surfing the web this week I saw so many interesting examples using shapes, colors, photos, etc. Have you ever created them before or used concept maps in your classroom? I found it much more fun to create a concept map with students than when I tried to do it by myself. Some of the examples such as the geometry map as part of this syllabus were so impressive: http://www.math.washington.edu/~king/coursedir/m444a03/notes/Math%20444%20Geometry%20Pt%201%20Congruence.gif
    Thank you for your post! Have a great Friday, Petra

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  2. Tanya,

    Thank you for your post. In your post you had given the example of presenting information through a PowerPoint presentation. Last summer, I had taken a staff college that centered on making presentations with the use of technology. Through this staff college I was introduced to prezi.com. Like PowerPoint, Prezi allows you to make presentations that include text and images. It also has the ability to incorporate videos! I have come to like Prezi much better than Microsoft PowerPoint. I find it to be more flexible and user friendly. If you have never used Prezi I would highly recommend it. Not only can teachers use it to present new information, but students can use it to show what they have learned. Enjoy your weekend!

    Warmly,

    Amy L.

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  3. Hi Tanya,

    You bring up very good points about note-taking and bringing technology into this process. I like how you pointed out that using a program like Inspiration allows the students to not have to take linear notes. Not every students thinks in that way and concept mapping allows them to be creative with their thinking while learning. Have you ever used Inspiration? It is a great program! Very easy to use and the students pick it up very quickly. What is the access to technology like at your school? Do you have classroom computers or laptops? I ask because I also want to incorporate technology into my students' note taking but getting access to computers in the classroom to do this is very difficult. Thank you for your post!
    Jana

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