For this week’s assignment, I explored several different concept mapping links, an Excel spreadsheet, multimedia links, web resources (Google Docs) and communication software (wikis and blogs). The concept mapping tools as well as the others mentioned above help the learners create mental images and/or “templates” (Novak and Cañas, 2008), increasing the number of connections one has when trying to recall the information. All of these tools correlate with the principles of cognitive learning theory since each requires integrating multiple senses, increasing the likelihood of retrieval at a later time (Laureate Education, 2007).
Since short term memory can only process about seven pieces of information at one time, it is important to make as many connections as possible to access the information more quickly and easily. Dual coding, elaboration and networking concepts assist the brain in making more of those connections. Paivoli’s dual coding allows the brain make a connection between a word, such as cat with the visual image of the animal. Therefore, anytime teachers can incorporate “informational images” during instruction, memory will be enhanced (Laureate Education, 2007).
References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Behaviorist learning theory [Motion picture]. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.
Novak, J. D. & Cañas, A. J. (2008). The theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Technical Report IHMC CmapTools 2006-01 Rev 01-2008. Retrieved from the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition Web site: http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.pdf
Kristen --
ReplyDeleteThe "only 7 bits of data" concept has been a rule of thumb for creating PowerPoint pages for some time. Plus, I have seen some recent findings that indicate that a speaker who presents with a PowerPoint is actually counterproductive. People watching the presentation are forced to split their attention between the information that they see and the verbal information they hear. This does not mean that PowerPoint is a bad idea, it just means that presentations need to be created thoughtfully so they present data at appropriate times. Ideally, if the visual information, whether text or graphics, should arrive either before the spoken words, or simultaneously with them. If the visuals appear in advance of the audio, it helps to provide wait time before continuing with the verbal presentation.
In related news, it was amazing to me how little wait time was included in the class taking the virtual field trip to the Ford Theater. The teacher called on students less than 2 seconds after asking a question! However, given that this was a trip videotaped for the purpose of this DVD, the students may have already had all of the prior knowledge necessary, and may even have rehearsed some of the responses. In any case, it did not seem to afford an effective amount of processing time for students to construct responses.
-Andrew
Hi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteIncorporating "informational images" during instruction helps to enhance memory by making the information more meaningful.I find virtual field trip particularly interesting because it provides several opportunities for learning to take place such as "witness" to history.In one of the discussions for week3 a teacher narrated a story of how they skyped a student in Hong Kong.That enabled the class to know what life is like in that part of the world.That goes to show that technology has enormous potential to enable cognitive learning to take place even in circumstances that such would have been otherwise impossible.
Kristen,
ReplyDeleteDo you use any of these technologies or instructional practices in your classroom? If so, which ones and have them been successful?
I agree with your comments on short term memory. I get students to do mind maps in groups and find that when they discuss doing the mind maps, they tend to retain more. The discussions help those with greater auditory skills and of course the visual learners learn better with the visual mind maps. This is one way of making their short term memory a little longer.
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