Dr. Orey (2009) describes what cognitive learning is all about, it is about registerying information to short term memory and then getting it to the long term memory- that is our goal as teachers. Often times when I teach, I am try to figure out ways to show students how important the information is that they are learning, convincing them that they will need this LATER in life, that way some how maybe it will get into their long term memory? I think not. There are several ways that Dr. Orey and other experts have suggested to get students to retain information for the long haul. Firstly, you want to connect the information to the student's lives, you want to relate the information to their life, at sixth grade this is tricky. There are many tools that can be used to assit with this task, concept maps, organizer, visuals, dramas, and other cognitive tools.
Teachers want to organize the information in a fashion that makes sense to students. First, I usually make sure to present the information in a powerpoint and often times show a video that would apply to them, through the wonderful website of united streaming- which my school subscribes. This video tool not only reinforces what I am teaching, but it always makes learning interesting for students and gives them a visual to remember. Another thing I focus on is note taking and summarizing. My powerpoints can be lengthening, often times I break them up into chunks and help kids to put in "their own words", this makes the learning more personal for them. Often time we use graphic organizers for students to put their notes and ideas down on, this helps to get started and make learning more connected to their lives. I am a type "A" person, and often times I teach my students good organization skills, because it is an important aspect of being a successful learning, knowing how things relate and also how they are connected.
In my language arts class, I am finding various ways to incorporate new technology skills with my students. We have differentiated our instruction and breaking students up into smaller learning groups, I am taking soem of the more advanced students and having them create their own blogs for the use of publishing their writing and sharing feedback with eachother. I have found this to be a very successful tool for students to engage in their learning and to make writing more meaningful and interesting to them. They feel proud to be able to share their writing with others in their class and publish online!
Overall, I believe that the cognitive learning theories are very helpful in teaching kids and helping them to retain the important information they must know into their adulthood. I am constantly looking for new ways to incorporate technology and help students learn more.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executrive Producer). (2009). Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
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5 comments:
Shaina,
I think it's important that you point out how vital it is for making student learning personal for the students. In kindergarten, I don't often have to explain to my kids why or when they will need what I'm teaching them in the future. They understand how important it is to do what I ask them and they are genuinely interested in learning (for the most part). I think what you do is amazing, and the kids appreciate it, too.
Shaina,
I agree with your method of using many methods of teaching the same thing. I think we have to teach in this manner to hit all the different learning styles in a typical classroom. My district has United Streaming and as a Social Studies teacher the hardest thing to do is to select the best video to show because they have so many good ones. I think students today are very visual and media oriented and the more we incorporate these elements in our teach the better our students will learn.
Charles Schmidt
Shaina,
I had to do a technology book report in computer lab with our 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders at our school. The 6th grade created a blog and wrote their book reports on their blogs. They had different assignment each week and had to visit blogs of other classmates. They enjoyed it and said it didn't seem like they were doing a book report. They are still using the blogs for their personal use.
Hi All-
Thanks for the comments.
Erin- I too believe that connecting learning and making it personal is key. Students need to see that connection at an early age, sometimes once they reach 6th grade they are tuned out and feel as though they are only in school because they have to be, I am trying to turn that around.
Charles- I agree, there are many choices on United Streaming. I really love using that sight and the kids love it too! Its a great tool and seems to be working wonders!
denise-
I love this ideas of blogs! My kids created their own earlier this year and I find that with a small group of 10 or so, it is managebale, but any more than that it is difficult to control. How many kids did you have at a time?
Shaina,
Have you found that your students writing has changed since you have broken them into groups and started intense blogging with your more advanced students? I am curious to hear if the students are more self conscious about their spelling, grammar, content… than before. I have used some blogging while having my students take part in a novel discussion, but I have had to constantly remind my students that their blog is for “all to see”. We are not emailing, but instead participating in an intellectual conversation.
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