Whenever I think about cognitism I think about brain activity and the brain's ability to retain and retrieve information. This week in my masters program I am learning to incorporate new learning tools in what I teach. I am currently working on a conceptual map(http://www.bubbl.us/) that will correlate with a virtual field trip. These tools are great for creating an interactive approach to new subjects that I may have expected students to read about instead. A concept map is sort of like a brain storm that starts with a central node or idea that is built upon based on what we want our students to learn. By using a concept map students may develop words or cues that will hopefully trigger memory receptors in their brain in order to relate to a central idea. The virtual field trip seems to me to be the icing on the cake. A visual and interactive activity to reinforce what ideas were developed within the conceptual map.
I love the cognitive learning theory because I can relate my field of education (p.e.) into the process. Based on several studies done on blood flow to the brain after physical activity, students reading scores are higher if they are physically active for 20 min. each day due to their ability to retain information. The University of Michigan has a good website with information relating physical activity to brain activity at
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.speregen/physical_education_and_school_performance .
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Like you I teach a class that does not have a curriculum per say and sometimes it is hard to help students get a hold of what you are trying to teach them. The concept maps and the virtual tours are great for helping get the point across and the students learn a new way to remember information. They learn a new way to organize it and recall it. I found the information on physical activity and the brain interesting thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThe old eastern philosophy idea that mind and body comes to mind. So many students are "couch potatoes". I believe there is a new study about the amount of obese children in the U.S. So this is an old theory that we are rediscovering.
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