Instructional Strategies !! Cues, Questions and Advance Organizers

Learners are unique and they each bring their prior knowledge to construct new knowledge Students construct knowledge through the process of assimilation and accommodation ((Paily, 2013). I have found that I ought to keep things simple, keep things manageable for learners (Laureate Education, 2011). I have been guilty of reaching above my kids’ level but experience is the best teacher and I now more knowledgeable or about the use of graphic organizers.

There are several free apps available online where students can organize their information in a graphical form in a shorten time. However, it is best that teachers guide the students to the to the most appropriate one for the given task. Graphic organizers can successfully improve learning when there is a substantive instructional context such as explicit instruction incorporating teacher modeling (Hall, T., & Strangman, N. ,2002).

Technology has made information processing easier on todays’ students. Through cues and questioning, students can better use the graphic organizers to connect knowledge. Questions produce cognitive effects in our learners and generate numerous benefits learning benefits (Thalheimer, 2003). Through a questioning, repetition occurs. This is an important factor for learning. However, as educators, questions must be structured to be most effective and to achieve higher-order thinking: “Using higher-order questions help students deepen their knowledge by requiring the use of critical thinking” (Pitler, Hubbell & Kuhn, 2012).

Questions can also “encourage learners to (a) generate multiple solutions, (b) categorize and classify, (c) discuss, summarize, and model, (d) strategize, justify, and plan, (e) reflect and evaluate, and (f) think about thinking and learning” (Thalheimer, 2003). As a result, it develops the students’ thinking skills. Such skills allows for the metacognition to be developed. Metacognition is developed when our students are given the opportunity and organize their activities and reflect on their work ( the process and the product).

Technology once again help the students to organize and reflect. Blogs are exciting tool that allows such without much challenge. Blogs also allow students to summarize their notes and information gain for further reference whether for themselves or for their peers.

Reference

 Hall, T., & Strangman, N. (2002). Graphic organizers. Wakefield, MA: National Center on Accessing the General Curriculum. Retrieved [November 13, 2013] from http://aim.cast.org/learn/historyarchive/backgroundpapers/graphic_organi....

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program five: Cognitive learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1

Paily, M. U. (2013). Creating Constructivist Learning Environment: Role of "Web 2.0" Technology. International Forum Of Teaching & Studies, 9(1), 39-50

 Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with a classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.,p.91). Alexandria, VA: ASCD Thalheimer, W. (2003, January). The learning benefits of questions Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://www.work-learning.com/ma/PP_WP003.asp