The daily use of technology in a classroom is very beneficial for students. If teachers are able to make their students’ lives easier by allowing them to take notes on a computer or use an advanced organizer to aid in their understanding the learning can be very advantageous. As the authors of Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works stated, “cues are explicit reminders or hints about what students are about to experience” (2007, pg. 73). As the cognitive theory, elaboration, describes, if students are given time to recall prior knowledge they will be able to make associations and connections to a piece of learning. This will, in turn, create an active learning process.
When thinking about graphic advance organizers, I bring to mind this weeks application assignment. I enjoyed creating the concept map because I can see it very helpful for students when given a project to create. This type of organizer can be used to help students see what the essential question is and the routes they will be taking in order to gain the understanding to answer that question.
Students need to be able to take notes or summarize their learning. This “enhances students ability to organize information in a way that captures the main ideas and supporting details, helping students to process information” (2007, pg. 120). If students are able to take notes in a way that is beneficial to them, they will be able to store that information and be able to recall the facts. When thinking about the concept mapping application, I believe the cognitive theory of the Paivio’s Dual Coding of Information is helpful here because if students are able to store the information as an image, or diagram, it is a very powerful understanding.
Resource:
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Note taking skills are a necessary; they help us record information that we can evaluate, synthesise, process, and make connections to. Using concept maps enables students to organize thoughts and stay focused on the topic. I use concept maps in reading, writing, social studies, and science. Creating a concept map allows students to combine listening, writing, and viewing skills; the combination will help them continue to make connections to the material.
ReplyDeleteThere is a great free app for your ipod or phone called Mindmap put out by Tony Buzon, the mindmap guru. I use this little app for planning everything. It is portable, so you do not have to be tied to a computer. Many of my students have ipods, so they are using it as well. This is a free app.
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