Wednesday 22 January 2014

Cognitivism In Practice

Cognitive learning method demonstrates a transformation in concentration from the function of behaviour in study to the diverse mind method connected with study and mind. Cognitive method perceives study as the method of constructing additional data into current knowledges. The method’s priority on mind methods stimulated the application of cognitive approaches in the classroom. These teaching approaches support students create an appreciation of how they determine in order to enhance knowledge. Technology tools have supplied current strategies to integrate cognitive methods into teaching and study
This week, I studied about cognitive learning methods and evaluated the relation between mind methods, teaching approaches that stimulate and help cognitive methods, and technology tools that promote an appreciation of mind and study. Dr. Michel Orey (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011) shares the records cognitive learning approaches and explains usage of the approaches in classroom procedure, teaching approaches, and technology integration. Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn (2012) share their discoveries on two teaching methods that implant technology. They are cues, questions, and advance organizers and summarizing and note-taking.
According to Dr. Orey (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011), cognitive learning method is the method of sensory record feedback of data into short term or active thought, which then gets gathered into long term thought through exercise of drill and discussion (Laureate Education, 2011).  The essential parts of cognitive learning methods demand that educators: (1) assimilate many senses, (2) comprehend the restrictions of data a learner can achive to at one time, and (3) carry out discussion with the study method.
Using cues, questions, and advance organizers provide learners to approach and employ data more readily (Pitler, Hubell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2012).  Integrating a KWL (Know-Want to know-Learned) graphic organizer into a teaching is a powerful strateghy to apply this method.  This powerful graphic organizer provides educators to examine a lesson or unit, providing the learners cues about what they are about to study.  The “Want to know” section of the graphic organizer supporting them to create questions and granting them to start to recall their prior knowledge about a subject.  Utilizing the “Learned” section of the graphic organizer supports to gather the whole graphic organizer together, granting learners to makeconnection of data” and keep this data in their long term thoughts (Laureate Education, 2010a).  For example, during a lesson on belief system in my fifth grade classroom, I created a KWL graphic organizer with my pupils.  We completed the “Know” section and the “Want to know” section prior starting the studySome of my students mentioned that they know that religious people believe in God.  However, they wanted to know why those people believe in God.  During the lesson, I included a study on why people believe in God.  I also provided my pupils on some religious websites and supported them do a little research about why people believe in God.  When we completed in our “Learned” section on the graphic organizer, they were able to share their findings on why people believe in GodThey were able to make connections with their prior knowledge using the KWL graphic organizer and keep current data about belief system, in their long term thought. Summarizing and note taking are another ways that correlate with cognitive learning methods.  It is very crucial to assure that learners understand how to take notes and summarize so that they can productively withdraw essential data from the curriculum to make connections with their own previous knowledge (Pitler, Hubell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2012).  One essential part of cognitivism is the understanding that learners need to transform the data often in order to assure that it is kept in long term thought (Laureate Education, 2010a).  In my classroom, my pupils are asked to summarize a book after we read it. We did this orally and visually at the beginning of the school year by processing what data is crucial to withdraw and writing a summary not only through words, but pictures.  After six months, I asked the pupils to illustrate pictures and discuss their summary of the book.  At the end of the year, I hope my pupils can create short summaries of books, withdrawing the crucial events and data givenThat is how I adopt summarizing and note taking to assist the cognitive learning method.
Cognitive learning method is also evident in concept mapping and virtual field trips.  Concept mapping assists learners to construct data that is taught (Novak & Cañas, 2008).  This can be applied to assist learners to concentrate on a “key question” and direct study so that learners concentrate on the essential data they need to be learning. Learners can employ this tool to construct what they learn and assist use that to create connections to prior knowledge.  One of the types of long term thought is episodic thought, or the thought of events, which is promoted when going on virtual field trips (Laureate Education, 2010b).  Virtual field trips provide learners the chance to connect in a unique way with the curriculum.  Learners can go on field trips without ever leaving their classroom.  By doing this, they are able to create more significant connections to the curriculum and thus, preserve more data than they would by just reading about the same unit in a text book.  This style of study engages all of the senses, assisting learners expand a lesson being taught by the educator (Laureate Education, 2010a).
Cognitivism is accepted in our classrooms today.  Using cues, questions, and advance organizers as well as summarizing, note taking, concept mapping, and virtual field trips are all strategies that educators employ the cognitive learning method in their classrooms.  All of these approaches provide learners to link current data to their prior experiences and understanding, granting them to keep it in their long term thoughts.

References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). 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
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011b). Program six: Spotlight on technology: Virtual field trips [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
Novak, J. D., & Cañas, A. J. (2008). The theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01 Rev 01-2008. Retrieved from the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition Web site: http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.pdf
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Cognitive tools and experiential learning. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD

6 comments:

  1. TJ,
    I love the use of a KWL chart in a classroom. The K-W-L chart not only taps into students' current knowledge, but it also forces students to question and ponder the new topic. One of my colleagues recommended that I start using a K-W-H-L-Q chart. The "H" section of the chart stands for "How do I find out." Students are to determine a method of finding the answers to the questions they listed in the "W" section. The "Q" section states, "What new questions do I have?" This is beneficial to the teacher because teachers will then know whether or not the students have an in depth understanding of the content.
    Lately, I have had difficulty with my students completing summaries of stories. My students do not enjoy writing. One method I have found that seems to motivate students is for them to create a "mini book." The students get to create a shorter version of what they have learned. They seem to really enjoy this activity. Here is a link that shows you how to create your "mini book:" http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Mini-Slit-Book .

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sara,

      Thank you for giving me idea on how to motivate students in writing. I will definitely need that link.

      In addition to the KWL, actually I also use the inquiry cycle which is more engaging for the students to go through their inquiry process. This is similar to your K-W-H-L-Q chart.

      Regards,
      Tjandra

      Delete
  2. I too use KWL charts to begin many lesson/units. I find that they are a great way to assess the students' current level of understanding. Having them posted in the classroom to refer back to and add to throughout the lesson is very helpful. I find my students looking back to these anchor charts during class discussions. To teach my student how to summarize I do a couple of things. One, I have students read a page from an assigned book and discuss it with their reading group members. The must identify the main idea of the page and two supporting details. Two, I use picture cards either student drawn or provide with the curriculum to prompt students into a basic retell of the story, highlighting the most important information. In the beginning of the school year, I do a lot of model and think alouds to demonstrate my own thinking. Over time, my students become more skilled at these strategies.

    I think that virtual field trips can be so powerful to use in the classroom. I have been researching the many options for virtual field trips and am amazed at how many are available. Although I think an actual field trip is the most memorable, this is such a great alternative. It provides students with a multi-sensory experience without the cost and travel time associated with most field trips. My class is currently studying the Lewis and Clark Expedition and I have found a great virtual experience to supplement my other activities. Here is the link: http://www.lewisandclarkexhibit.org/index_flash.html

    The strategies you discussed will help facilitate a deeper understanding of any content presented to students. Any way we can develop lessons to incorporate many senses and technology will benefit our students in the long run.

    Kori

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kori,

      Thank you for sharing the different strategies to help students to make a summary. Those strategies are so helpful.

      Regards,
      Tjandra

      Delete
  3. Tjandra,

    Thanks for the great post. I really learned a lot about cognitive learning theory by reading that. I particularly liked your example of how you use a KWL chart in your class. I honestly have never used this particular graphic organizer, but after reading your post I can definitely see how it could be used as a tool to help students organize their learning. It sounds like the “know” section of the chart would be a very effective diagnostic tool to figure out what previous knowledge students have about a particular topic. Often times I make assumptions about what I think students know about a given topic without actually asking them. The “want to know” portion is a great way to design lessons that align with students interests, just like you mentioned in your lesson on belief systems.

    Have you used either concept mapping or virtual field trips in your classroom? I’m just curious if you found those tools to be effective at helping students reach a deeper level of understanding. I have used concept mapping quite a bit but not virtual field trips. Though after reading all of the resources in our course this week I am definitely excited to try implementing both strategies more effectively.

    Lindsay

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Lindsay,

    I have used concept mapping quite often with my students. I usually use it when we start a new unit. So, sometimes, instead of having KWL, I start with the concept mapping. I ask my students to brainstorm what they knew and understood about the unit and write it down using the concept mapping.

    Regards,
    Tjandra

    ReplyDelete