The cognitive learning theory is a theory that tries to explain how people take information and their thought process in remembering this information. The theory also states how students take information from their short term memory to their long term memory. As educators, it is very important for us to know how information is taken from a source to a student's short term memory and then to their long term memory.
I believe when teachers use cues, questions, and advanced organizers it will help the students learn the information. The reason why is because this teaching method supports the cognitive learning theory when applied correctly. For example, if a teacher is asking questions that are relevant or open ended, this will cause the student to think and hopefully make new connections within his/her brain. The teacher can also use graphic organizers to help students make new connections, because the graphic organizers are visual which helps make new connections. This is also known as the dual coding hypothesis which states a person will more likely remember information if there are pictures that are associated with a word or phrase (Laureate 2007).
One very important skill that everyone needs to know how to do is to take proper notes and how to summarize. If this skill is done correctly, it will help the student remember the information that the teacher is trying to convey. For example, if a teacher is having students copy down definitions of vocabulary words, the students are more than likely not going to remember the definitions. The teacher could have the students put the definitions into their own words. By having the students do this, the students will think critically and make new connections in their brain which will help them remember the information.
The strategies listed above are great examples of how students can learn by making new connections in their brain. At times, teachers feel if they ask questions or have the students write down the information, the student should know the information. For example, I felt this way for part of my first year of teaching. I now know that it takes students to make new connections to ensure that they have learned the information presented.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.
I have found that concept maps and the ability to summarize has helped my students become better organized when making connections. I teach both math and science to 5th grade students and I often have my students write a brief summary on what they have learned. When I first began doing this my students would write their thoughts in an unorganized fashion. Once I began incorporating concepts and note booking, I quickly saw my students organizing their thoughts in their summaries and they were easily able to make connections and comprehend the information.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!