Successful Learning in the Classroom
June 5, 2021
I spent time this week reading about the cognitive perspective of learning. To display the new knowledge I have acquired, I created an engaging presentation using the digital tool, Nearpod. Nearpod is an instructional platform that allows students to interact with the material, while enabling whole class participation. Even though Nearpod is typically utilized in the classroom setting, I designed this presentation for teacher professional development purposes. I have always been a believer that professional development should be organized and delivered the same way content is in the classroom. Pedagogy should be at the forefront of PD planning. Teachers deserve effective learning opportunities as well!
In my Nearpod, I focused on three main questions:
What is an expert, and how do the key principles of experts’ knowledge connect to the classroom?
How can educators foster successful learning environments (organization of knowledge, promote conditionalized knowledge, and metacognition)?
What is Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory?
It was important for me to allow my audience opportunities to make personal connections to the material and reflect on their own learning. The Nearpod activities, such as the collaborative board and open-ended questions, encourage the participants to apply the information to their own personal or professional lives. For example, participants were asked to identify one area in which they are an expert and share successful learning strategies they can implement into their classrooms today. As a presenter, these features also serve as formative assessment “check-ins” in real-time. These check-ins help the participants become better learners and assist me in improving my delivery and instruction.
It is important to note that the Nearpod only displays the main talking points. If and when this presentation is delivered, there would be an additional discussion about cognitive learning perspectives and opportunities for participants' questions. For example, after the Peppa Pig video clip, I would tap into the audience's prior knowledge and listen to their opinions as to what makes someone an expert.
This interactive presentation serves as a good overview of the cognitive learning theories. It encourages teachers to reflect on their own learning and teaching, while providing opportunities to demonstrate understanding and challenging them to make personal connections. I hope you are engaged and grasp new concepts and understandings.
References
Bransford, J., Brown, A.L. & Cocking, R.R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience and school. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press. https://www.nap.edu/read/9853/chapter/6
Cherry, K. (2020, April 13). Gender schema theory and roles in culture. Verywell Mind.
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-gender-schema-theory-2795205
Cherry, K. (2019, September 23). The role of a schema in psychology. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-schema-2795873.
Cherry, K. (2019, October 8). Understanding accommodation in psychology. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-accommodation-2795218
Heick, T. (2020, October 2.). The assimilation versus accommodation of knowledge. Teach Thought. https://www.teachthought.com/learning/assimilation-vs-accommodation-of-knowledge/
Peppa Pig. (2016). Peppa Pig Episodes - Daddy Pig, computer expert (clip). YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxqw0am27Fk.
Piaget and equilibration: Definition & explanation. (2021). Study.com. https://study.com/academy/lesson/piaget-and-equilibration-definition-lesson-quiz.html
Spencer, J. (2018, August 13). Five ways to boost metacognition in the classroom. John Spencer. https://spencerauthor.com/metacognition/