Garner tells us "Imitation becomes a limitation when we only do what others do". I found this to be an important statement in the book and a good guide for our teaching. Are we teaching students to learn or imitate. There is a big difference. Memorization is defined as a cognitve structure for storing and recalling information. In recent years memorization has gotten a bad rap in the education world, and in many instances deservedly so. Many times we just teach students to memorize lists or definitions and they forget them soon after we test them. We need to move beyond just thinking about memorization and begin building the capacity of memory in our students. Students must consciously process the information we give them in order to truly remember them.
Garner descricbes three stages of memory: short- term, continous, long-term. Short term is temporarily available ot the senses. Continuous is where students acces prior knowledge and experiences. Our long-term memory is only accessible ot the degree we process it. So when our students do not process information they will soon forget it. As teachers we should strive to help students get to the processing stage so their long-term memory will store the information.
How do we get there wiht our students? By building their capacity for memory. There are many startegies you all use without even thinking about it. Mnemonics, acrostics, concept mapping, chunking, rhymes, sequencing are just a few mentioned in the book. I would encourage you to go beyong just a bit as well. Think about the factors Garner mentions that affect memory: emotions, purpose, beliefs, prior knowledge. Strive to get to this level of application. Emotions are big here also. If we can attach information in an emotional way, students will retain the info much better. The stronger the emotional bond, the more vivid the memory. You can attest to this in your own lives I am sure.
Students must remember by doing. Garner tells us action involves multiple sensory inputs. The action will develop the memory. Encourage your studnts to be active in their learning. Also, visualization is an important cognitve process students can develop through practice. Playing mamory games will alos develop their capacities. Try some memory games in children at all levels to exercise that memory. It is just like a muscle we need to push and make stronger.
No comments:
Post a Comment