I believe that the instructional strategies that were
described in this week align with the principles and ideas of cognitive
learning theory. Cognitivist ideas are
based on the idea that learning is a process in which “information enters
through the senses, undergoes mental manipulation, is stored, and is finally
used” (Lever-Duffy, & McDonald, 2008, p. 16). The instructional strategies
that are described help students to organize, synthesis, and apply their
learning. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007) stated that advance organizers, concept
mapping, note-taking and summarizing tools help students to organize and make
sense of presented information. In the
video, Dr. Michael Orey mentioned that these theories focus on learning that allow students to make
connections through presented information (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Virtual field trip websites and Google Earth
are examples of websites that help students to make connections about
information they are learning.
In my own classroom, I use many of these strategies to teach
for understanding. I use Lino and more often, Primary Wall as advance organizers
in science and social studies concepts. With these online resources, teachers
and students can use online sticky notes to collaborate and share ideas,
pictures, or links about a specific topic. As a class, we use these sticky
notes to group similar ideas and concepts and organize or thoughts about a
particular concept. Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn,
and Malenoski (2007) affirmed advance organizers
are structures that teachers provide to students before a learning activity to
help them classify and make sense of the content they’ll encounter” (p. 73).
Also, I used Google Earth to teach my students about map
skills, their community and neighborhood and other social studies standards
that relate to understanding themselves (i.e. learning their state, county,
capital city, and address). This tool is powerful with helping my students see
themselves as part of a bigger world around them. Since using these tools for
the past two years, my students are able to remember more about these critical
social studies concepts.
References
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
Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2008).Theoretical
foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson
Education.
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on
learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page
Pitler H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K.
(2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works.
Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Brian,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Students do not always see the tools that are available to them on the walls of our classroom. But, they do know how to use a computer to explore and find simple information. As teachers, our job is to teach them how to find and interpret relevant information online.
Thanks for the response.
We use a similar system in our district with Advanced organizers called concept maps. the only thing that sets them apart from standard graphic organizers or Advanced organizers is that we have seven different maps that everybody uses. If you are comparing and contrasting ideas, use "double bubble map," if you are brainstorming, use a "circle map," etc.. What makes these work is the fact that the students learn these in elementary school are the same ones are used through high school. It really helps them align their thoughts for any activity we do. We also have concept map software that the students love to use as well. The second they can start adding words or pictures to their maps on a computer they get excited and want to work (sometimes).
ReplyDeleteI believe that instructional strategies help students to organize, synthesis, and apply their learning. And advance organizers, concept mapping, note-taking and summarizing tools help students to organize and make sense of presented information. I think virtual are a way to help students to make connections about information they are learning. Itʻs also advantages for students whose learning is limited to their immediate surroundings. Some students are fortunate to travel the world and are given unique lessons in cultural differences.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Lono, Primary Wall, and Google Earth sites. I havenʻt fully explored them, but I plan to in the near future.