The cognitive learning theory essentially promotes learning by doing. Through listening, watching, and experiencing, the learner is able to make solid cognitive connections and retain information. According to Dr. Michael Orey (2009) the integration of multiple senses is essential to the cognitive learning theory. I think that most people would agree that their most vivid lessons learned were those that happened through experience. This week's resources described numerous tools that complement the cognitive learning theory. I find that these tools greatly enhance a student's learning experience.
Word processing and spreadsheet tools allow teachers to streamline instruction as well as provide visual aids for students. At the beginning of the school year I created a small summary checklist for students to refer to as they completed a weekly reading log. I would like to start using the "tracking changes" function on Microsoft Word. As the students are able to physically see which information is deleted from an excerpt, they will be able to more readily stop and talk about the summarizing process and have a common piece of text to refer back to.
The numerous multimedia tools, presented this week, make learning so much more engaging and real to students. An online field trip exposes students to places they may never have a chance to visit. I look forward to taking my first online field trip soon. Our students take in so much media on a daily basis. Why? I think because it is easier for the brain to process and consume. I try to use this to my advantage as much as possible and use video clips and PowerPoint presentations whenever I can. These tools are especially useful for students who have limited background knowledge. It all seems to go back to Dr. Pat Wolfe's (2009) description of how the brain needs to make connections to what it already knows. The ease in which concept map's can be transformed into an outline not only appeals to multiple forms of knowledge acquisition, but also makes our jobs easier. Technology really has created an open door for teachers to go beyond telling and into the realm of showing and doing.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Brain Research and Learning [DVD]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Cognitive Learning Theories [DVD]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteThe greatest advice anyone has ever given me is "You should never work harder than your students". It is so important for our students to experience the lessons first-hand to best understand all aspects of it. Those who are "doing" are the ones doing the learning. Obviously it is our job to plan exciting and invigorating lessons that naturally draw our students interests, but we should plan to have our students work with one another or alone on a given task that allows them to problem solve and pull outcomes from their own analysis.