Technology and Cognitive Tools (Part 2)

Instructional strategies such as cues, questions, and graphic organizers can be used for note taking and summarizing. The same strategies can be enhanced if they are delivered with a technology component. Once the technology component is used to deliver the strategies, a correlation with cognitive learning theories is established. Dr. Michael Orey in his video titled, “Cognitive Learning Theories” (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011) touches on the cognitive learning ability being a three-stage model. The first stage consists of a sensory input of information, which could be an introduction to the subject or content being taught that day. The introduction can come in the form of an essential question or a bell-ringer assignment, which is an assignment students are required to finish five minutes after the bell has rung to start class. Stages two and three effect students’ short-term and long-term memories. Students can store information into their short-term memories simply by paying attention during lecture and the goal of comprehension can be reached during stage three by students being able to process information being taught to them, therefore being able to store it in their long-term memory (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011). Even though the task seems easy, my task as a teacher is to present lecture in a form that promises student engagement, which can result in students being able to process and comprehend what’s being taught. The use of technology can help teachers lead their students towards the goal of cognitive understanding for any topic being taught. I am fortunate to have access to SMART® technologies in the classroom, which provides an array of technological resources that can engage students during lecture and increase the chances of information being able to processed and comprehended. Along with students being exposed to the resources on a regular basis within the classroom, I also will make it possible for students to access the resources outside of the classroom with the use of a classroom website, classroom blog, email.

Resources:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2010). Cognitive Learning Theories [Video webcast]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=6072034&Survey=1&47=8554320&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=1&bhcp=1