Cognitive Learning theory is primarily revolved around information processing (Orey, 2009). It is important for students to know how to takes notes and summarize information given to them and in a way where the information will be placed into their long-term memory. A “primary mechanism for storing information into long term memory is elaboration” (2009). In order for students to store information into long term memory, we as teachers want to make as many connections as possible to the material presented (2009).
When teaching students new subject material advance organizers are very beneficial (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 73). Using advance organizers “provide to students before a learning activity to help them classify and make sense of content they will encounter” (2007, p. 73). Any types of organizers that will help the learner organize the information that is going to be important for the student to understand and store in their memory will be beneficial. All students are going to want to use different organizers, cues, and summarizing to relate the information to them in a way that is beneficial to them personally.
These types of organizers can be used when teaching health and physical education. For example in P.E. our goal everyday is to get students moving, raise heart rate, and turn them onto physical education so they can live healthier and more productive lives. If we gave tests in P.E. which we rarely do, using organizers would probably be the best idea to help students learn and remember the important information. Students do not bring down pencil or paper to P.E. so the best way for this to happen would be for me to put up important vocabulary and facts that are important to the activity we are doing at that time, and then ask the students to come up with an organizer that will help them remember the information clearly and then they will turn those in and from that I will see if they understood the material or if I need to explain to them more thoroughly and allow them to do it over to make sure they have included all the important facts.
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program five. Cognitive Learning Theory [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Pitler, H. , Hubbell, E. , Kuhn, M., Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA. ASCD.
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Hi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned in your post that you put up vocabulary and facts about your activity for the students to see. This is a good idea because you know they will see the information and you can refer to it during class. Do you or your department have a website you could also utilize for additional posting of the information? Since the students are creating their organizer away from class, they may need to look back at the information. My department uses our website to post any documents we use in class. I think it is a great tool to share information with the students and their parents. It also adds creditability to what we do.
Elaboration is a very important when teaching new skills. For us, this is true in the classroom and on the basketball court. In both situations we need to “build numerous connections to stored information” so it can be moved to the long-term memory. (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008) Have you ever tried the web site http://www.coachesclipboard.net ? It presents information in written form, animation, pictures, and video clips. I use it all the time with my players. They really like the site also because it has an additional section on player tips and they can go back to follow up on what we covered in practice that day for reinforcement.
Terri
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2008). Program six. Cognitive Learning Theories. [Motion
picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Yes. We actually do not have a website but we do have webpags that can be accessed. All teachers are required to have a webpage wit update information, a calendar of events, and our syllabus. I think that posting facts and information on a webpage is a good idea, I guess I just never thought about doing it that way. I as well coach basketball as well as softball and soccer and we practice the formations everyday during practice for reinforcement.
ReplyDeleteI also love the idea of putting up the vocabulary and acts for the kids to have a visual representation of the activity they are learning. I know phy ed isn't a class that geerally students bring supplies to because you want them up and moving. I am wondering if there is a way that the students could create the vocabulary or fact visuals during yours or another class? This would make the visuals more personal.
ReplyDelete-Mel.