Incorporating cues, questions, advance organizers, summarizing, and note taking in the classroom correlates closely to cognitive learning theories. For example, constructivists view learning as an active process where the learner is creating new ideas based on their prior knowledge (Lever-Duffy& McDonald, 2008). Students are creating new ideas when engaging in such activities as advance organizers, and summarizing. They must accommodate and assimilate information and ideas into their schema. Advance organizers help students to maintain their focus when learning (Pitler, 2007). Cues and questions correlate to the behaviorist theory. Students are conditioned by their teacher and when they are given cues and questions, it triggers the child’s memory and gets them thinking (Pitler, 2007).
Virtual field trips and concept mapping relate to the cognitive learning theories because they require students to take in information and create their own learning by exploration. They must actively participate and internalize what they are seeing or reading. Virtual field trips give students an experience that they would most likely not get if it were not for technology in the classroom. These field trips build upon their background knowledge and therefore students are better equipped the next time they are acquiring new information.
Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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I agree that virtual field trips allow students to "see" and learn about things they might not have been able to experience without this opportunity. They also allow the visual learners to get a better understanding of topics. Finally, they are an additional resource for teachers to access in order to teach the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteI have just had a year full of professional development focused on the idea of teaching higher order thinking. We have concentrated on instructional strategies that show our students not just what the facts are, but what do you do with the facts.Cognitive tools help students to perform at a higher cognitive level because they can take care of the "manual labor" which often bogs students down (Orey, 2001). Like you stated, through using tools like advance organizers and such, students have to assimilate information and understand how it fits into their network of knowledge. I loved the quote from Confucius - "Tell me, and I will forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand."
ReplyDeleteOrey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Yes, I absolutely agree that it is greatly valuable to use cognitive learning tools in classroom practice. I also appreciate virtual field trips and concept mapping as these really are great ways how to make students interested and teach them much at the same time!
ReplyDeleteSarah,
ReplyDeleteThe experience of the virtual field trip has been exciting for me as well. My students will be amazed when I take them on a tour of Jupiter's moons and how different each one is.