This week our readings focused on the Cognitive Theory of learning, which centers on information processing. In James Hartley’s 1998 study(as cited by Smith, 1999)it was suggested that learning results from inferences, expectations, and making connections. Instead of acquiring habits, learners acquire plans and strategies, and prior knowledge is important. Through cognitive tools such as concept mapping, summarizing, note taking and advance organizers, teachers can promote students’ learning by helping them to organize information and make connections to former knowledge. Many cognitive tools have multiple roles. Their roles allow students to interact with information in order to acquire, synthesize, create, and share new knowledge (Robertson, Elliot, & Robinson, 2007). Using spreadsheets to calculate large amounts of data helps students to focus on higher level problem solving rather than rote calculations. It helps the student to analyze information and create new knowledge. Combination notes, a method suggested by Pitler et al (2009), help students to make connections using pictures and words, which is a very powerful tool for promoting student achievement. All of these cognitive tools help to get information from the short term memory to the long term memory. They scaffold information, which allows the student to make associations to stored information, which creates new knowledge.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Robertson, B., Elliot, L., & Robinson, D. (2007). Cognitive Tools. Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. (M. Orey, Ed.)
Smith, M. K. (1999) 'The cognitive orientation to learning', the encyclopedia of informal education, www.infed.org/biblio/learning-cognitive, Last update: September 03, 2009.
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Kekemcdee,
ReplyDeleteAs an early education teacher, are you able to incorporate some of the cognitive tools in your classroom? I have found that young students are able to you the concept mapping tools, such as Kidspiration, to organize and visualize concepts. They really like the graphics and word processing features of Kidspiration. However, they sometimes get distracted by these bells and whistles and forget to stay on task.
CWarren
Caroline,
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that primary students do get sidetracked by the bells and whistles. But these concept maps really help them to organize their thinking and the new information. Since iconic memory is so strong, the images really help to cement the information in their memory. I think that the students need to be doing this as a whole group first then work their way to individual work. I am doing it with one of my guided reading groups so I have 4 students working at one time. That is about as many as I can assist at once but it has been very successful for organizing their writing.
Thanks for you comment,
Kerry
I too agree that the primary students get distracted. Don't we all?? I think by utilizing these tools often and routinely in the classroom though, the distractions will get less and less. I am going to be doing my first lesson with Kidspiration on laptops this week. I know they will be excited, and I am prepared for things to go wrong. My plan is chunk every part of this lesson and not to give them too much information at once. Hopefully this will help things go better. We'll see:) ~Katie Yingling
ReplyDeleteKatie, that sounds like a good plan, especially the part about breaking the lesson into chunks. Your students will really enjoy the Kidspiration. I'll be interested to know how your lesson goes. Keep us updated, please!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Kerry
kekemcdee,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you use any of the Web2.0 tools in your teaching styles? I am always looking for projects to tweek for my students.
Debra Sanders