Wk 5 – Schema Theory

• What is learning?
  

  Students have preconception and misconceptions about how things work because we inherently want to make sense of the world around us. Learning takes place when preconceptions are changed. This change can take place in many different places and can be caused by many different reasons.
  

  Learning also takes place when something new is introduced and you are able encode it properly to store it in long-term memory. Then be able to retrieve it when proper cues are presented.
  

  Teachers need to help students "learn how to learn." As stated before, students sometimes construct meanings that are faulty or limited. On page 557 of Joseph D. Novak's paper entitled Meaningful Learning: The Essential Factor for Conceptual Change in Limited or Inappropriate Propositional Hierarchies Leading to Empowerment of Learners states that "the construction of new meanings [learning] requires that an individual seeks to integrate new knowledge with existing relevant concepts and propositions in their cognitive structure." Learning happens when we construct new meanings.
  

  As educators, we also need to recognize the role that experience and culture play in building one's knowledge. Experience and culture shape how we interpret given situations that, in turn, affect how we learn.
  

  
   

• How can learning be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer?
  

  There are many ways learning can be best effectuated by a teacher/trainer:
  

1. Linking new knowledge/information to previous knowledge.
   
   1. Can be accomplished using advanced organizers.    
      
      1. Concept maps
         
      2. Venn Diagrams
         
      3. KWL charts
         
      4. Graphic Organizers
         
      5. T-chart
         
      6. Flow chart
         
      7. Time Line Chart
         
      8. Spider Map
         

2) Motivating students by showing them the usefulness of what they are learning.

3) Using positive reinforcement to motivate students.

4) Using mnemonic devices for learning.

5) Breaking material into "chunks" to aid in processing new information.

 

Using a combination of strategies will be most effective.