Cognitivism in Practice

In today’s society, we are provided with many tools to enhance student learning. Cognitive learning theory is a process of using prior information and organizing it in a way that is meaningful and memorable. Instructional practices have been developed that help students organize new material and understand new concepts.
In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, Pitler, H., Hubbell. E., Kuhn, M., and Malenoski, K. (2007) focus on two instructional strategies: “Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers” and “Summarizing and Note Taking”. Cues and questions allow students to focus on what is important in a lesson. It also assists teachers in identifying what the students know and don’t know. Students are also given the opportunity to use their background knowledge to help make concepts more meaningful. Technology helps teachers to reach students of various learning styles. Advance organizers provide students with a way to organize information that they are going to learn.
“Summarizing and Note Taking” allow students to identify important information and put it in their own words. When students are able to put the information in their own words, it helps them to have a better understanding of the concept. Word processors provide features such as Track Changes, AutoSummarize, PowerPoint, summary frames, and templates. Teachers can have students summarize and take notes individually or collaboratively.
In The theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Novak, J. & Canas, A.J. (2008) define concept maps as “graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge”. Concept maps helps students understand concepts and make them more meaningful. They can be used as a learning tool as well as an evaluation tool. Virtual field trips help students to make a connection to what they are learning. They are a great way to motivate students and make learning fun!
By using these instructional strategies, my students will develop a greater understanding of material that they are taught. It is important for me to include activities to reach all learners. There are instructional strategies that I can use to introduce topics, involve them in the learning process, and review the material. In teaching 4th grade reading, social studies, and math, I am excited about implementing these strategies into all of my subject areas.

References:
Novak, J.D. & Canas, A.J. (2008). The theory underlying concept maps and how to construct and use them, Technical Report IHMC Cmap Tools. 2000-01 Rev 01-2008. Retrieved from the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition Web Site. http://cmap.ihmc.us/Publications/ResearchPapers/TheoryUnderlyingConceptMaps.pdf

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