The text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, gave many examples of tools and technology that can be used for summarizing, note taking, and organizing information. Many of these tools relate to the cognitive learning theory discussed this week.
Chapter 4, titled “Cues, Questions, and Advanced Organizers” discussed technology tools that can be used to enhance “students’ ability to retrieve, use, and organize information about a topic” (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, pg. 73). Some programs that teachers can use are Kidspiration, Inspiration, and other brainstorming or outlining types of software that can help organize and connect ideas. Here is a link for more information about the software tools, Kidspiration and Inspiration:
How Concept Maps, Webs, Idea Maps and Plots Help Students in the Classroom
The authors also discussed different types of multimedia that can be used like photographs, videos on the internet, and different websites to help enhance understanding of certain concepts. Dr. Orey stated that images can be powerful tools (Laureate Education, Inc., 2008). Pictures and videos give a chance for students to really see something that is being discussed. For example, instead of just telling students about hurricanes, I might actually show a video of a hurricane and the weather radar. This strategy then helps students to make connections and helps them to take the information that they are learning and store it in long term memory. This is one strategy that I like using in my classroom, but it is one that I can sometimes forget to use.
“Summarizing and Note Taking” was the focus for chapter 6 in this text. This chapter discussed different ways of note taking that will help students process information that they are learning about. One example of technology that was introduced for note taking that I had not heard of previously was the combination notes strategy using the program Microsoft Word. Here’s a link to an example of this strategy:
Combination Notes
Combination notes correlates to the Cognitive learning theory because it gives students a chance to draw sketches of certain ideas with some notes along side of it. Students can then make a connection between the picture and notes. I am excited to try out this strategy in my class.
Another strategy for summarizing was discussed by using the program Inspiration. The teacher can highlight important information for students to look for in videos and texts using this tool and then sudents can fill in missing information. This helps the students to summarize the video or text and create connections between the different pieces of information.
I believe that strategies relating to the cognitive learning theories can and should be included in the classroom. When these types of strategies are used, they can increase student learning. I am excited to begin to use these new tools and ideas in my classroom.
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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I am also very excited to start using my new knowledge for next year! I feel I am going to teach completely different (or more-so just with many new ideas).
ReplyDeleteI did like your chart, however, I gave my students a similar chart in the past, and they did not like it as much. When I gave them the opportunity to create their own type of organizational chart, many looked like the web. (They were given art paper and markers.) Your students may love it! But just to keep in mind, you can try the web with various shapes.
I would also suggest to give them the option of using either one. Maybe have the charts made, but also use a concept map and make a blank web sheet they can choose from! Afterall everyone learns different!
Anyways, those were just a few suggestions... I hope they can help sometime down the road!
Good Luck!
I agree with you on the importance of multimedia in the classroom. Since the beginning of this course, I started using more technology and multimedia in my classroom. I have found that my first graders are much more engaged and into the lesson if I begin with a neat video. My students also love taking virtual field trips.
ReplyDeleteFinally, I really like the Inspiration webpage link you provided. This site is a good recourse and I liked the example of a concept map. It was much more simple than some of the concepts maps that I have seen examples of. It reminded me more of a concept map that I would use with my first grade students. Thank you for the additional information.
Mrs. Rogus,
ReplyDeleteI also liked the idea of using comibnation notes in the classroom. I believe that I will use a 3 column chart rather than a T-chart. I would like to include and connect the new information to old infomration and use the visual aids as well. I also use videos in my class as much as I can. However, some students I have had more than once and they think that watching a movie is fine, but watching math movie is dumb. It actually works better when I can find games that involve algebra, but I need to do more searching on this.
Rhonda Y.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLeah,
ReplyDeleteI think that after taking these classes and learning these new strategies, I feel refreshed and excited to try out my new learning. Do you feel like that?
Thanks for your ideas. I think that I will try and share all of the different types of organizational charts. Maybe I will start out by introducing each chart and give my students a chance to practice each one. Then, I will let my students choose the chart that works best for them, like you had mentioned.
Thanks again!
I am very excited for summer, but actually I think I am even more excited for the start of next year! And that is because of all of the ideas that we are learning! I just stated last night to a friend how fun these classes are because I am learning things I can actually use and can practice in my content level for my subject. I dislike classes where you can only 'relate' to what you are teaching, or basically just 'generalize' teaching as a whole. With the assignments given, we can reflect on what we are actually doing and research things based on who we teach!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your various types of charts!
Thank you for the link included in your post. I have been searching for a more user friendly concept mapping tool for primary grades and Kidspiration was recommended in multiple settings...It was nice to have a quick link to assess for further information.
ReplyDeleteI am curious do you all plan on printing out the concept maps and having students write in their responses or checking out the laptops to have students type in their responses on a pre-made template? I could see my students wanting to initially develop the templates together and soon there after wanting the freedom to create their own.
Mrs. Winner,
ReplyDeleteSince starting these classes, I too have been looking for more engaging tools that I can use in my classroom. I have been trying to find some fun videos that relate to the different concepts that I teach in math. Just recently I found some for 2D shapes. My students really enjoyed them. Then, a few days later, when they were working on something with shapes, they reminded me of the video they watched and the video actually helped them to remember the shapes and their names. I feel that videos are a great way to help students store information into their long term memory.
Thanks for the post!
Elizabeth
Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of having a three column chart. It is important for students to connect new information to what they already know. I would like to try that as well. Thanks for your idea!
Elizabeth
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI agree that we need to come up with as many avenues as possible to deliver our content. As educators, I feel it's very important to understand how students learn best so we can maximize our strategies for success. There are so many tools out there that make this easier for us, and I never realized it! I also agree that using software to increase our student "visual connections" to the content is of prime importance. I always try to find a video or short clip that gives meaning to the subject we are about to teach. It also helps if we can make the subject relevant to the student in so way. That way, when they need to, they can draw on that relevance when recalling it from their memory banks. I loved the "Combination Notes" exercise you mentioned. I am going to give this a try this week and see how it works!
-Mike Staples
Mrs. Rogus,
ReplyDeleteYou stated that you were looking for some videos for math. There are several on the internet, but I have a class set of videos called the "Standard Deviants". You can get them for any level of math. I have some for geometry, algebra and pre-algebra. They are more interesting for younger students, but I do show them in high school. There are also some fun things on youtube. Just be careful and preview them first. Some are fun just to get class going in the first few minutes. My students really like the one called "What you know about math." It is a rap and the students enjoy the change in the words.