Cognitive Learning Theory Tools

After reading about Cognitive Learning theories and their implications in present day education it became apparent that these two things are closely related.  Since cognitive learning theory is based on the assumption that we learn from making connections with previous knowledge and in essence build a “map” in our brain, we as educators have an important role of constructing those connections in our student’s “maps”.  There are many educators who believe that a teacher’s effectiveness is correlated to the method of instruction and the types of resources they bring to a lesson to help their students make connections with pervious learning.         

From reading our text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, it is apparent that there are some great organization tools that will aide in making learning effective and clear.  The first of these is Cues.  I found it enlightening when the authors clearly stated that cues should not be ambiguous, but they should be straightforward.  I have always lived under the assumption that cues were to be vague enough to not give the answer, but to guide in the right direction, but now I know that I was not helping my students learn this way.  Using the method of straightforward cues, the students will get to the information faster and start to make the connections and build their “map” like we want to occur. 

The next tool that I feel lends itself nicely to cognitive learning theory is using advanced organizers.  Since our brain is a map, so to speak, doesn’t it make sense that we would learn best by having information neatly organized for us to learn from?  I am a person that likes to have things a certain way and I can see the validity in this, but it also makes me wonder if everyone will learn with the information organized in the fashion that the teacher created?  I know from my experience, I tend to organize worksheets and handouts in my classroom different than the other Math teachers, not that anyone is right or wrong, but I like how using technology to organize thoughts lets that students have some freedom in the type of layout they feel is best.

Last but not least, I was intrigued by the summarizing piece.  I was unaware of some of the features that word processing software has that would make teaching summarizing a lot easier.  Since the computer can easily cross out redundant information and highlight important parts, it is a great learning tool that can be projected in the classroom for the whole class to discuss.  In addition, the students can use this feature to help summarize text in all kinds of classes.

In closing, I was impressed with all the types of learning tools that are available to us, as teachers, that do not cost anything out of pocket.  There are so many learning tools that are based upon learning theories that try to convince us that we need to purchase additional items to be effective.  I appreciate all the useful information using tools that are at our fingertips.

Resources:

Ormrod, J.E. (1999). Human learning (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall retrieved from http://teachnet.edb.utexas.edu/~Lynda_abbot/Cognitive.html

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.