Cognitivism in Practice

Working with students who have many different learning styles creates many challenges for teachers. With the instructional strategies of the cognitive learning process one can see how to address students’ memories when developing lessons. Dr. Orey discusses that the key points to the cognitive learning process is elaboration and short-term memory. (2009) I know that my students need to see and hear information as I am presenting it to them. Having students make connections to the information in a lesson to their personal life, other subjects, and different areas will help with their short-term memory. In order to make connections I could use concept maps to present and connect information. I could also have my students make verbal connections when we are discussing information in class or they could write in their journals different connections they think of while the lesson is implemented.
All of these ideas are important for students’ learning in the cognitive learning theory. The students need to be able to recall information from their short-term memory in order to use the information again when it is stored in their long term memory. The cognitive learning theory presents key information for students to process and retain content that is taught to them throughout the course of the year. If students can be presented information and create connections they will be more likely to retain the information in the long run. Are there other ways out there to elaborate and make connections of content for the students?
The cognitive learning theory is about connections students make to retain information. These connections would work wonderfully in my room through concept maps and advanced organizers. I am planning on using the concept map I am creating on poetry for my unit that is coming up in January. This will incorporate technology into my unit and increase the connections students make with the terms, figurative language, famous poets and types of poetry.

Laureate Education, Inc.(Producer). (2009). Behaviorist Learning Theory [Motion Picture]. Bridging learning, theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore: Author.

-Meghan