As an educator have you ever wondered if the children you teach really understand lesson content? They seem to be able to correctly answer questions related to the topic and can demonstrate at least a surface-level comprehension. They are paying attention, right? Have you ever felt as an educator that you wished you had more time to go deeper on a given subject with your students, even spend time with hands on experimentation, but curriculum plans keep you on a tight schedule? This post is for the educators who have long desired a classroom where the lesson allows time to take a deep dive into subject matter to reach a level of understanding that goes beyond just passing a test, to truly gaining a level of proficiency and understanding of the material.  

Learning is the process of gaining knowledge and practicing skills that impact a person’s behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs. Learning is an ongoing process through life and necessary for survival and positive adjustment. But learning is just the first step. As educators we want our students to transcend beyond learning to understanding, where they are not just memorizing facts for a test, but thoroughly comprehend the materials, understand the process, and as a result, have a better understanding about navigating the world. There is growing support for this style of teaching so as teachers we need to rejoice and be thinking of ways to go deeper into subject content to grow our students understanding of materials.   

Metacognitive What???

Imagine an environment where students are asked to ‘think about their thinking’ and develop an understanding of under what conditions they learn the best. Teaching with a Metacognitive Approach is where the focus is on students thinking about what works best for their learning. In this type of environment, students take control of their own learning and develop learning goals. 

Teachers interested in the exciting world of Metacognition can start with structuring their classroom to be growth oriented where teachers make their thinking visible to students.  Students can be encouraged to have a growth mindset where intelligence is not fixed, but where everyone can learn. In this learning environment, students can learn what unique cultural and social perspectives they bring that impacts learning. As educators, we need to be listening for perspectives that both promote and prevent learning and address any biases.  Are you ready to empower students to take over the reigns to learning? What do you think?   

Integrating Technology in the Classroom

Numerous studies have highlighted the potential benefits of integrating technology into educational settings so don’t be afraid to give it a try! One of the primary advantages is the enhanced engagement it offers to students as it makes learning fun! Interactive multimedia, simulations, and learning platforms have been shown to captivate learner's attention and foster active participation and increased comprehension.   

Adaptive learning systems and personalized software can tailor both content and pace to student’s unique needs and abilities, enabling more effective mastery of concepts. Digital tools can also allow for immediate feedback on assignments. 

Modern classrooms use tools such as discussion boards, virtual classrooms, and tablets that provide platforms for students to work together on projects, share ideas, and learn from their peers in the classroom and across the world. 

Technology helps students become lifelong learners because they are taught how to seek out new information and learn new skills throughout their lives which is an adaptive practice.  Integrating technology in the classroom equips students with the skills they will need to survive in a digital world.

Quick Tips for TEACHING for GROWTH and UNDERSTANDING: 

• • •  Provide a variety of examples where the same concept is at work across many contexts. Example: Fractions in the classroom, in the kitchen, and at the construction site.  

    • Create tasks and environments where student thinking can be revealed to detect preconceptions that students bring with to them to the classroom that prevent deep understanding. Address those barriers.  

    • Help children consider new or different ways to approach problems and help them develop flexible mindsets for problem solving. 

    • To check for understanding, test for “deep understanding” on a fewer number of topics rather than deploying standardized testing that focuses on surface level understanding on a broader number of topics.    

Reference

National Academy of Sciences (U.S.), Bransford, J., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (1999). How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse.