Dr. Orey states
the cognitive learning theory deals with the processing of information. Learners receive information in the sensory
stage then converts it to short term and later long term memory. The dual coding in Pavio’s hypothesis
emphasizes that “images are really powerful tools to use in the classroom” (Laureate
Education Inc., 2011). The use of
technology can help students make better connections by using interactive software
for organizing and brainstorming software. Teachers can also use communication and
collaboration software to create a more collaborative place to summarize and
take notes.
For the past
two years I have been using the web site Prezi to create presentations for my
students. I have not used this site to
its full potential. Not only is the
layout great for concept mapping, but the site offers a collaborative feature
where individuals can work on a group concept map. In the short term or working memory, learners
can only process seven things; give or take two (Laureate Education, Inc.,
2011). Advanced organizers help students
determine the importance, find relationships, and relate to their prior knowledge
(Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2012). These
maps can organize students’ thoughts and with more connections it will become
easier for the students to retrieve the information from the organizers later.
The learners’
ability to synthesize information and give it a concise new form. Successful students can take the important
information from the sensory step and restate it in their own words. "Tell me, and I will forget. Show me,
and I may remember. Involve me, and I will understand" (Confucius circa
450 BC). Having learners create a
wiki is a great way to involve the students in a summarizing collaboratively. Wikis provide students with opportunities to
use different media like text, images, flash video and video files. My wiki experience is limited to a small
project on WikiSpaces. However, I plan
on involving my students in a wiki project this year where they will be determining the importance of cultural masks and creating a site restating information in their
own words.
Successful teachers are aware of how the
brain processes information. By allowing
technology to assist the learners, teachers can show students how to organize
their thoughts with advanced organizers or restate information they have
learned in their own words.
References
Laureate
Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program five: Cognitive learning theory
[Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved
fromhttp://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Pitler, H.,
Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using
technology in the classroom instruction that works. (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD
Hi Miss R:
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about the website Prezi. I am doing my best to try and figure out SpiderScribe website for this week's application. It is good to always have a plan A and then Plan B if necessary. Students taking information and placing it into their own words, is crucial in them being able to comprehend what they are learning. It is so easy to learn things verbatim, but needing to knowing the information for future use is vital.
I enjoyed reading your post and have a good week!
Michelle
I also enjoyed the post about Prezi especially since teaching children how to write is one of my favorite subjects to teach and the organization is the first critical step in helping students become creative writers. By using strategies that include concept mapping techniques, students motivation will increase and as a result their successes usually increase also!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Kim
Hi Ms. R,
ReplyDeleteI myself is a Prezi user and my students love using it. In my ICT unit about presentations, we explore all presentation tools and applications like Prezi, PowerPoint, Animoto, Photostory, and Keynote. They are allowed to use which presentation tool they want to use. I give them options and let them decide which presentation they prefer to use. I believe that they can express their feelings, learning and passion when they use a tool that they are comfortable with. I find most of my students love to use Prezi. And yes, presentation tools will help students how to process information, organise them, and present them.
Alpha
Alpha,
DeleteWhen you use Prezi with your students are they working on the same presentation from different devices/locations or creating individual Prezis?
Miss R
Miss R,
DeleteMy students need to create an individual Prezi project and a group Prezi project. My fourth and fifth graders are allowed to bring their own laptops at school (with parent permission) and they work with their individual/group Prezi project during ICT class. A couple of groups did the Prezi meeting at home and it was awesome to find out because it rarely happens at my school. Most of my students brought MacBooks at school. Prezi meeting works just fine when students use Windows and Mac OS. All computers in my lab runs Windows and Mac OS and students have the option to use which operating system they are comfortable using. But most of the time, students need to use computers in my lab and use windows because they need to save their work in our school server.
Alpha