Educational Psychology

What? This chapter focused on the process of learning. We learned about different terms such as memory, storage, encoding, sensory register, attention, and how they contribute to the way we learn. We also talked about the influence prior knowledge can have on a child's perspective and learning capabilities. We also discussed in class the importance of presenting information in many different forms. Using alot of visuals, graphs, charts, hands on activities, written assignments, group work, etc. Having a variety of methods of giving students information will help them process it and enjoy the learning experience. The end of the chapter also talks about the importance of wait time. I have never thought of this as being so important but realized it is. It is important to give every child time to think amd question and reason. Not making children feel rushed to give a quick answer to questions that can be more thought provoking and drawn out.
So What? This chapter helped me to understand not only how I can help my students in the classroom learn but also it helped me to understand how I learn! I realized that I learn through alot of rehearsal. I need things to be repeated over and over again. I need to review alot to understand. When I teach, though this works for me I need to use not only this strategy but different ones as well to accomodate every child. I also learned that meaningful learning is essential the highest way of processing information and learning. It is relating new information to what students already know. It is a type of scaffolding. It is so much easier to remember information and apply it when it is being built upon. As a teacher I will want to be organized enough to be continually building onto what my students have previously learned. Making those connections will be an important part of my instruction as a teacher.
Now What? I have realized that when coming up with lesson plans I will want to use different strategies to fill the needs of all of the students learning behaviors and strategies. I will want to be more careful about how I give information to students not just focusing on what I am telling them. As a teacher I will want to be organized in the way I present information to my students in order to help them learn. Keeping it organized will be able to help them organize it as they learn. Putting information in categories and making many connections. I will try to give my students opportunities for alot of discussion in sharing thoughts, opinions, and ideas. I will want to include them as much as possible in the learning process. The students are the only ones in control of what they will actually remember. It is my responsibility to help them as much as possible in getting across the information in interesting and different ways!