There are several instructional strategies that correlate
with this learning theory. Cues,
questions, and advance organizers are great instructional strategies. Using cues and questions allows students to
focus on what is important to understand.
Cues are used to trigger student’s short term memory and this can be
done by using pictures or certain words.
Questions are more to direct students.
Using blooms taxonomy allows for higher level thinking questions as
well. I know in my math class, we are
always using blooms taxonomy when writing critical thinking questions and story
problems. Advanced organizers are a
great way for students to be able to organize certain concepts by not only using
their own words but being able to visually see the comparisons. I have starting using these more in my
geometry class, that way my students can visually see the differences in
certain concepts.
Other strategies that I find very beneficial are
summarizing, note taking, and virtual field trips. Summarizing allows students to be able to write
on a topic in their own words and then reflect upon it too. Blogs are a great way to help this
process. Note taking is used in almost
every class. The idea is to use a
variety of formats. I typically use the
same format for each class but now see the benefits in switching it up. Virtual field trips are awesome with the fact
that students are able to visually explore certain places and things by using
videos and multimedia. I just wish there
were more math related field trips available.
I would love to incorporate more of these into my classroom.
Ideally all of these strategies would be used in the
classroom very readily. It is extremely
important that we always provide students with what they are expected to learn
and understand, use prior knowledge when available, incorporate as much multimedia
as possible, and provide an overview of what to expect and what is to come. (Pitler,
H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K., 2007) I
believe by doing these things and using these strategies, our students will be
able to make connections between what is being taught and what they need to remember
in order to be successful in their classes.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer).
(2010). Behaviorist Learning Theory
[Video Webcast]. Retrieved from http://www.courseurl.com
Pitler,
H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using Technology with
Classroom Instruction that Works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Hi Nichole,
ReplyDeleteI am excited about the possibility of using virtual field trips in my classroom. I am going to explore and research for options online. I'm hoping to find some that will be appropriate for kindergarten, and help support my curriculum. I can understand your frustration in not having access to this teaching tool as a mathematics teacher. I hadn't thought about that problem. Have you found any that support your content area of math? I would be interested to know. I often struggle with finding technology that is available and developmentally appropriate for my kindergarten students.
Lisa LeBlanc
Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI have not found to many virtual field trips for math. I have found a few video clips that I will be able to incorporate into my smartboard presentations which the students will enjoy. My goal is to continue looking because I know the students would like anything other than the normal math routine. I will keep you posted. Good luck with finding technology that would be appropriate for kindergarten.
Nichole
Nichole,
ReplyDeleteI am in complete agreement that summarizing is an important part of the learning process, but I am having some difficulty reconciling it with the cognitive learning theory. The best that I am able to come up with is that it demonstrated knowledge and allows the learner the opportunity to make more connections to ideas because they must put it in their own words. It sounds like an argument for it being an assessment rather than a learning tool. Have you found resources that support the use of summarizing as a learning tool from the perspective of the cognitive learning theory?
I agree with you about using these strategies readily in the classroom. Students need to see the real world connections to our lessons and virtual field trips allow that. Once they see the real world connections it is much easier to keep them engaged. I have never used virtual field trips in my classroom. I am excited to get started this year and see the results.
ReplyDeleteI have used graphic organizers in the past and had some success. Like you, I usually use the same type with all of my classes. I plan on changing up my style and allowing students to have more choice this year. Hopefully, they will pick a format that helps them better understand the material and quickly recall it.
Nicole,
DeleteI have also used one virtual field trip in my own classroom. I love how you made the connection between visual and informative texts using the advanced organizers. We need to keep in mind that students need to have each of these materials readily available, just like you seem to do in your own classroom! Great Post!