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Cognitive learning theories and information processing seem to be the next step up from behaviorism and information storage.
Cognitive learning concerns the storage of information in long-term memory along with the ability to retrieve and apply that information properly.
The ability to store and retrieve information in long-term memory relies upon a student’s ability to make many, varied connections between prior knowledge or experiences and new knowledge and experiences.
It appears that the more social or cultural connections a student has to the material being taught, the more likely it is they will retain and apply the new information.
Here is the difference between cognitive and behaviorist learning methods. Cognitive learning methods seek out personal connections between the material and the student. This may not be as efficient as behaviorism, but it appears to create a stronger mental bond with less familiar and more complex materials.
One of the cornerstones of cognitive learning is the construction of little pieces of information into larger concepts. A common belief is that a learner can only process and transfer to long-term memory a limit of seven pieces of information Therefore, in order to teach higher level information, the student must process the seven pieces of information and synthesize them into larger concepts.
The use of technology is a great way to create a wider variety of connections between prior knowledge and new information.
Seven Mind Mapping Tools to Try This Year
1 year ago
Heather,
ReplyDeleteI do believe that technology is a great way to make strong connections with students. Technology is what today's students are interested in so it makes sense that teaching with technology would spark that interest and help us to connect our teaching to how they prefer to learn.
Do you feel that the concept mapping idea is helpful to break down information so that the students can retain and understand it? Have you ever used a concept map? I haven't used one personally and I was wondering what some of the advantages to using them are.
Susan
I completely agree that the use of technology allows for students to make more connections between prior knowledge and new concepts. I believe technology also may be used to provide students with knowledge needed to understand new concepts. Technology may be used to take students to places they have never been and may never otherwise see and experience. I am excited to use concept mapping in my classroom. This is new to me and I struggled to create such an extensive map for this week's assignment. I hope that the more I create, the easier it becomes, but I feel that it will be a powerful tool in helping students make connections between old and new concepts.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statment that says, the more connections a student has to the information, the better they will remember it. Teachers must create memorable experiances for their students while learning the information. Technology is a great tool for the students to use. It seems to be what they are most interested in these days, so teachers should use that to their advantage.
ReplyDeleteI have been using concept maps for a long time, but I never actually knew I was using them until someone pointed it out to me. As I mentioned in my application, I have always gravitated towards science and social studies. I think both of these subjects really lend themselves to the idea of concept mapping. I think they really do a great job of helping students visualize the relationships betweens events and concepts, including causes and effects.
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