The Cognitive Learning Theory primarily focuses on how we process information. Dr. Michael Orey in his video on the Cognitive Learning Theory said that there are three main ways to process information. The first thing that must happen is that a person must receive information via their senses. Then, that information goes into short term memory. With repeated “rehearsal”, that information can then be stored in long term memory (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). It is very important for teachers to understand this process so they can create lessons and activities accordingly. Asking students questions and prompting them for a response helps guide and structure their learning. Using advance organizers is also a great strategy to structure student learning for easier processing. Pictures can be added to advance organizers so the sensory information students receive is varied, and organizers can be created to show connections between ideas, which mimics the Elaboration Theory (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Dr. Michael Orey suggests “integrating multiple senses in presentations” because “anything you can do to keep things manageable for the learner is important” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Cueing students to focus on specific information or connections and having advance organizers that affect multiple senses will ultimately increase student learning for the long run. Summarizing information is a great example of rehearsal. Students need to “digest” what they’ve received through their senses and having them put it into their own words is one great way to do that. Note Taking also helps get information from short term into long term memory because students practice writing the information which forms a visual representation and serves as another form of rehearsal. All of these instructional strategies help teach students to understand information. They allow students to focus on information and create a network visually (organizers and note taking) or through audio (cues and questions). Teachers can use these strategies to help students concentrate on key ideas and help them understand those ideas for immediate or long term use.
Resources:
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
I've gained an appreciation in recent weeks for the sensory piece in graphic organizers. Until now, I've used different shapes, fonts, and sizes in my design, but only recently started asking students to draw a visual of vocabulary words, descriptions, etc. Even on whole-class posters or charts, incorporating an image has helped students connect to and utilize these items more often.
ReplyDeleteI am a big proponent of summary focused note taking, but feel that I have a lot of room to improve in teaching note taking skills. Do you have any suggestions from personal success?
ReplyDeleteBrandon I use a note taking strategy with my fifth graders where they write text on one side of the page and then illustrate the text on the other side. It's very helpful and students really enjoy it. You can also do split page notes by having students copy text on one side and write their reaction to the notes on the opposite side. I've found a lot of success with these two strategies. Hope that helps!
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