According to Lever-Duffy and McDonald, the cognitive learning theory is a “mental operation that takes place when information enters through the senses, undergoes mental manipulation, is stored, and is finally used” (Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J., 2008). They continue to say, “cognitive theorists explains learning in terms of how one thinks” (2008). With that, we looked at a couple strategies that correlate with these principles.
“Cues, Questions, and Advance Organizers” are all strategies to help students “retrieve, use, and organize information” (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K., 2007). This is a very similar process that cognitive theorist feel that learning takes place. Students need to retrieve the information through our senses, store and organize the information, and finally use the information. By giving students cues and questions, gets the students to retrieve information from prior knowledge. The graphic organizers are great ways to get students to organize the information with how they are thinking.
“Summarizing and Note Taking” is the second strategy we looked at. These pieces help students synthesize and separate important information while putting it in their own words (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K., 2007). There is a lot of information given to students each day. If they are not able to make a connection to it, it will be lost. Summarizing and note taking takes information and “manipulates” it to better understand. Then, when a student is to retrieve it again, they will have made a connection to remember it.
Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
In the art room the information is definitely in what they see and feel. The visual aspects cannot be stressed enough. The feeling is more than just touch but the mental feelings that they have. Their art work is dependent on how they feel.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the importance of taking notes, the only way an art students takes notes is through their sketchbooks. They take their sketchbook is how they retain what they learn and develop. Note taking, regardless if written or drawn, is a necessity for the retaining of the knowledge they need to be successful within any class.