Concept mapping is a great way to aid student's cognitive learning. Showing a student the "big picture" allows them to grasp where it is their learning should be going. I personally am a very visual learner, however, simply seeing a picture does not a long-term memory make. For me. like many students, they need to organize incoming information and sort it in a way that makes sense to them. Once the big picture is processed them students can dig in further and build on that foundation.
Relating information in any way possible to things that can remind a student of something they already know will grant ques for remembering and storing information. Students need to form attachments to the goals they are learning. It seems to me that a student would better retain information that they organize themselves rather than copying notes from a book, overhead projector or lecture. I could write or copy something one hundred times and still not understand what it is that I am writing. I need to make those connections, attach meanings and organize my thoughts in a way that works for me. Technology has granted us many options these days. We have new and exciting ways to organize and sort incoming information. Even our blog reader provides us with and easier way to sort and chose the new information coming in.
It is hard for students to sometimes see the ‘BIG’ picture and with a tool such as concept mapping enables them to see the big picture a little better. If they can not see it right away, it will not be going anywhere because it is apart of the map for them to refer back too.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a student can not find a place to store the information too. That is where we come into play by trying to tap into their memories to show them places or remind them of things that they have done in the past. I always ask my students what something that we are studying reminds them of before I remind them about when we previously discussed it. Technology has opened many doors for us to use and it is job to figure out which one works best for our students.
Yes, the BIG picture in vital. I know personally if I don't see the big picture I am lost and/or distracted away from the information easily. The maps really are a great tool to refer back to. I love the question prompt of "what does this remind you of?" !
ReplyDeleteI belive it is best to present hard information to students the best way that the teacher can learn that way we feel comfortable. Students will learn the best learning method for themselves and be able to apply it. Concept mapping can easily be used in each subject. I am using it this week for our Language Arts lessons to help students understand what the big goal is.
ReplyDeleteLast year, I had my students read from textbooks, answer the comprehension questions at the end of the lesson, and take tests. I doubt they learned much at all. It took me taking these classes at Walden and then incorporating the technologies and techniques into my lessons this year to show me how much of a difference inquiry based learning can make. Instead of books, I use the internet and videos to teach and then we create a project using some kind of technology.
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