This week the assigned reading was on chapters nine, ten, and eleven; covering complex cognitive process, constructivism and designing learning environments, and social cognitive views of learning and motivation. There were topics covered that stuck out to me, three of them were applying learning strategies, cognitive apprenticeships in reading: reciprocal teaching, and technology and self-regulation.
In chapter nine, Woolfolk (2019) explains applying learning strategies. She states that one of the most common findings in research on learning strategies involves production deficiencies (2019). The text states that students do not apply the strategies they have learned when they could or should. Woolfolk expresses this is especially a problem for students with learning disabilities. Students need to be taught and understand the reasoning behind the strategies. For example, in math, we teach the students percentages and algebraic expressions. As we are teaching the students percentages, we explain to them that this is a life skill they will use as they get older. We'll make up a scenario that they are at the store and they are having a 30% sale and need to know if they have enough money to buy a shirt they want. Another scenario that we make up is at a restaurant and trying to figure out how much to leave for a tip. We explain these real-life situations so they understand they are needed and how to apply them in the future. I feel that this is vital for all students to understand, so they know how to apply strategies when needed.
In chapter ten, it explains cognitive apprenticeships in reading: reciprocal teaching. Woolfolk (2019) explains that students in small groups learn four strategies: summarizing the content, asking a question, clarifying difficult parts, and predict what will come next. This has been practiced in some of the classrooms I have worked in. The teacher will read aloud a chapter or two of the book of that quarter. The following day the students will work in assigned small groups on a graphic organizer that helps the students understand the main idea of those specific chapters. For example, a book the students read is Hatchet, the students will complete a graphic organizer and while doing so will discuss the four strategies. I believe these are good strategies so the students can get a better understanding of the text they are reading.
In chapter eleven, it describes technology and self-regulation. As Woolfolk (2019) states, students need to evaluate the information they find online. They also need to be motivated to stay focused on what they are doing while working on the computer. Some of the classrooms that I have worked in have practiced the strategies they explain in the text. When the students are working on the computer they are typically looking up information for a research paper. There are other times the students are working on the computer they are working on educational websites; whether it is Hour of Code, Prodigy, or another site learning and practicing what they already know. The students enjoy playing these games and are always wanting to play, even during recess they will play these games, which tells us they are engaged and interested in them. Technology has come such a long way, even since I was in school. These strategies will always be in the back of my mind to help keep my students engaged and on track while learning on the computer.
These topics that I have brought up, are things I will bring into my future classroom to help in teaching my students as best as I can with as many resources I can.
Woolfolk, Anita. Educational Psychology. 14th ed., Pearson, 2019.
Brittany,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post! Very well written and full on details and personal experiences. In your blog you toughed greatly on learning strategies. Something you said really stood out to me and that was applying the strategies to life skills that they will need. You included a perfect example of using percentages and budgeting. Yesterday, I was browsing through the internet, and I came across a photo of a teachers door with learning strategies. Above it said in stenciling, " when will I ever you math?" It is not always about the math itself, but the strategies used to complete the problems. We use strategies in our everyday lives. I believe it is important for teachers to focus on teaching the strategies!
Brittany,
ReplyDeleteI liked your take on how much technology can help the processes of learning and self-evaluation, and I think that it is awesome that you have first hand experience in knowing how well those things worked. In my experience, however, I realized that it can be difficult to manage exactly what the students are doing on the computers. There are just so many ways that they can get distracted and deviate from the course material entirely.