Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Week 12-Situated Cognition: How can learning best be effectuated by a teacher?
Teachers can effectuate learning by providing students with meaningful hands-on learning experiences. For example, if I wanted to properly teach my students the process of applying for a job, I need to create activities that allow them to experience this process. I could have them actually look for a job online or in a newspaper, fill out a job application, create a resume based on their skills and experiences, and participate in an job interview. By taking the students through these activities, they are not just being told the process, they are experiencing it. Through these experiences, they can become accustomed to the job application process and see and experience it for themselves. I believe by allowing the students to do so, they will be able to remember and do what they need to and will therefore be all the more prepared when it comes to applying for a job. I think this is what is meant by situated cognition.
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Brandon,
ReplyDeleteI agree that students must have a hands-on experience if life-long learning is going to occur. I think that is why I enjoy teaching science so much. The science curriculum lends itself to contextual experiences.However, I become so frustrated when I hear that teachers still have students read the chapter and answer the questions week after week. It is not a wonder to me why so many kids do not enjoy school or learning. I agree with you, if we spent more time doing in our classrooms and less time telling, I think a lot more learning would happen. Thanks for your thoughts.
Jodi
"Not just being told the process, they are experiencing it." That sounds to me like the heart of situated cognition. As well as, "learning is experiencing." These statements helped to sum up the theory for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks.