There are several technologies that aid in student learning. Cognitivists view learning as an operation that requires your brain to take in information through your senses, store the information, and retrieve it later (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008).
Advanced organizers help students to de-clutter their thoughts and mainstream what it is that they are trying to learn. These organizers minimize distraction for some students and allow for a more focused learner. The questions that are asked by the teacher and by students should intensify the level of learning.
Concept mapping is good if there is a lot of information provided to the student. The map allows the student to find the relevant information and the sub categories that the piece of information goes to. Helps to see all your ideas and get the ideas organized in a clear manner. All of these tools help the student to effectively learn the material. The connections students can make to different pieces of information on a concept map is very similar to the connections our brains make when it receives information through the different senses (Laureate Education, 2009).
Virtual field trips can be a powerful tool without ever leaving the classroom. Students can go places they may never get to go otherwise either because of money, or logistics. These fieldtrips can lead to connections students can make to their own lives. This allows the student to buy into their own learning and make a personal connection.
Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Lever-Duffy, J. and McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations. In Teaching and Learning with Technology (3rd ed. pp. 2-35). Boston: Pearson.
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Brittany,
ReplyDeleteYour comment about advanced organizers making student focus is very true. It personalizes their learning. They have to review the material in a way that makes sense for them, decide what is relevant and categorize it. Thinking about a new concept in this context will reinforce their understanding and hopefully extend it to long term memory! Great summary!
Nancy
Hi Brittany,
ReplyDeleteAdvance organizers are wonderful because they can help students “de-clutter” their thoughts and mainstream what they are trying to grasp or learn. I also appreciate how they can help students focus and see a big picture broken down into smaller pieces or details.
I agree with Nancy--nice summary!
Megan
Megan and Nancy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments! The more I evaluate how I teach the more I realize that my students need to see the big picture broken down in ways that make sense to the student and that they do not "see" things the way I see it. However much I wish that my way was the only way I have to realize each student is an individual and they all learn differently.
Brittany