Cognitive Learning happens in three stages. Students engage in sensory input. This information is stored in the short term memory or working memory. Then once it has been put to use enough or connections have been made the information becomes stored in long term memory. This is the ultimate goal in terms of learning. The trouble with this type of learning is that not all students are going to make the same connections thus not all will store the new learning in long term memory. This is where the use of organizers is beneficial to all students.
The idea of concept mapping is not new to education. It is a great way to organize thoughts. The use of technology in concept mapping is a new idea to me. Concept maps allow students to make a dual coded connection. Michael Orey reports that dual coded connections are more likely to create long term memory. Students will get the benefit of visual and text with concept mapping. I believe concept maps would be very beneficial in the beginning for introduction of a unit or at the end to summarize the learning.
Graphic organizers can be used in many ways to introduce new information. This would be one way to tap into the learners background knowledge and possibly expand it for working memory to take place.
Using technology as a tool for introducing new materials will spark interest in students. Most students are familiar with technology well beyond that of their teachers. Allowing students to engage in the creation of concept maps and graphic organizers will likely produce long term memory.
I love using graphic organizers and concept maps with my students. I think it helps to organize a lot of information into categories that is more visually appealing. With that said, I am a little intimidated by some of the examples of concept maps we have seen in our resources this week. Instead of being easier to read, I find many of them confusing and overwhelming. I am not sure if these advance organizers will work with fourth grade. Have you encountered this?
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with you that these seem too advanced. I like concept maps that are simple. My son is in seventh grade and he is just now beginning to use some of these more advanced organizers.
DeleteThanks for sharing your enthusiasm for graphic organizers! Do you have a specific site you use more than others? Where do you get or make the majority of your organizers from?
ReplyDeleteDo you always lead your lessons using graphic organizers or do your students fill them out on their own?
Graphic organziers are a great way to make more connections!
Renee Scott
I have a book of graphic organizers and I steal ideas from the book. I have also found that some of my students can come up with ways to organize information also. Most often I lead with graphic organizers and wrap up with organizers.
DeleteThank you for your focus on graphic organizers. I really enjoy using graphic organziers with my students. Do you have your students each create their own organizer or do you do it collectively as a whole class? I often do my organizers with my students as a whole group using our interactive white board. I find it faster and since I only see my students 6 times in a month, time is of the essence.
ReplyDeleteMost often we do this as a whole group. I also use the interactive whiteboard.
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