What have you found is the best way for you to learn new information and retain information? Is it through memory, schema, constructivism, transmission? What is meaningful learning in your own education?
The best way for me to learn and retain new information has been through a combination of techniques. I believe that I have used memory and constructivism as a baseline for my schema. I would memorize specific facts and when two or more facts click together (using knowledge construction), I suppose what happens is that then provides a structure for making sense of the newly realized/learned information. Meaningful learning in my own education has also been real learning. This is real learning because with meaningful learning I am pulling out old information that has been stored in my long-term memory piecing it together with new information and with that, usually deeper understanding of the material and change happens.
I'm glad you're aware of how the terms we've learned have worked for you and your method of learning! I think our processes are similar; especially with using constructivism as a base for schema....didn't we discuss that they were very similar in structure too? Like knowledge construction and schema both are shaped by other outside factors aside from the transmissive mode, making them both an alternative way of thinking about things but a difference is that constructivism often leads to schema? Just a thought...couldn't recall if that was our conversation or one I had with another group!
Marlene, I definitely relate to your use of memory and constructivism when it comes to meaningful learning! I think both serve as excellent starting points in developing real knowledge. Your idea of piecing new information together with old information is also something that I find very important. I think that real learning tends to involve a mix of newly and previously acquired knowledge.
Hi there Marlene, Seems like we are somewhat on the same page. As I'm reading through these I'm taking away the idea that there really isn't one sure fire way for anyone to learn and retain new information. Memory seems to be the most popular method for retaining the information and make that move from short term memory to long term memory. I like the connection you mention of utilizing information from long term memory to piece together with the new information to have a deeper understanding of the material. Thanks for the share.
I like to think I am a visual learner, even though I don't normally like to place myself in any one particular category of learning styles. I can say that many of the things I remember have been a result of either memory representation and/or through mnemonic devices (especially for rote memorization). I think constructivism has shaped my best practice of learning because I've had to figure out my own way of understanding a concept aside from the teacher's transmissive method of instruction.
I believe meaningful learning is the learning where I have to think about the process for a while, enough to know that I don't understand how to get the answer, which causes me to challenge myself by using any schema I have of the subject and once mastered, being able to apply that to other areas of my life in ways that create new/ more ideas is meaningful learning.
hello Dawn. I agree that constructivism is probably the best way to gain true understanding of transmitted material. When we use constructivism to comprehend new information we are making our brains literally work to get it. I also agree that meaningful learning entails understanding the process from question to answer.
Hi Dawn, I think mnemonic devices are extremely useful when it comes to memorization - I've used them many times in the past! Constructivism is definitely a great method of learning after a teacher has transmitted information. In my own experience, constructivism has always helped me learn best. I can also relate to your definition of meaningful learning. Building new ideas off of former ones is a great sign that you are actively using and constructing knowledge.
I must admit that over the course of my life, retaining information has not necessarily been my forte. I have tried a few different techniques such as flashcards, repetition, association, etc. and I cannot say that any ‘one’ of them has been the ‘one’ to be more productive than any of the others. I have found that a combination of the different techniques seem to work a little better for me. I do feel as if repetition over a decent amount of time helps to work the new information from my working memory to my long term memory as well as taking the larger amount of information and breaking it up into more manageable chunks to review and absorb at a time. As I learning more about the environment (my major) it is helpful for me to be out in nature using all my senses to obtain and retain this information. Learning now the different methods of teaching, as a student and looking back on my schooling, I have experienced both constructivism and transmission and can pretty confidently say that new information that was presented in the form of constructivism has definitely contributed to meaningful learning in my life. I am also aware though, in my opinion, in order to experience constructivism I have experienced transmission somewhere along the way to add “facts” and building blocks to my schema in order to participate fully in latter parts of my education and to contribute to my experience of meaningful learning. In the transmission phase of my learning it proved that repetition was the most useful for learning and retaining new information.
Hello Armando. I also experienced that when I use more than one method, depending on what I am learning,can be more helpful. Sometimes using repetition in combination with association helps me learn certain material, and constructivism is most helpful for a subject such as math. I also agree that possibly the most efficient way to just "add 'facts' as building blocks to my schema" may be through transmission.
I learn best through auditory and visual stimuli. I like new information to be transmitted by the teacher so that I can then process it and use constructivism to create meaning. I also like to use rote memorization in certain situations (mainly when it comes to memorizing French vocabulary or mathematical equations).
I believe that meaningful learning involves the ability to apply new knowledge accurately in real-world situations. I like to have the sense that I really understand something and can explain it easily to others. Meaningful learning is an active process and may take time to develop, but it is worth the effort.
Thanks for the insight Rachel. Understanding how you work best gives you a greater empathy towards students (if you plan on being an educator in any way!) which definitely leads to better communication between everyone. The idea of meaningful learning being a process, ultimately taking time is also something I've never voiced but definitely believe in, because so often we think everyone learns through the transmissive method, and not only that but learns it quickly. I guess schools rarely discuss WITH the students, how best they learn....or even other ways of learning which I think is important to be introduced in classrooms.
Hi there Rachel. So I like what you have to say. It is important to have an idea of how best you can absord the information that is coming your way. I like your take on the transmission from the teacher, but I have to say I'm not sure what you might mean about using constructivism after you have processed it. I do the same thing with the need to have some time afterwards to go over the information at my own pace and on my own. When you mention the constructivism method to create meaning, I was wondering, is this with another peer? Or maybe with the teacher or a mentor? Who is it that you discuss the new information with to understand it better? I cannot agree with you more about rote memorization for items such as vocabulary and mathematics. These subjects, in my opinion, can best be learned in that fashion and can provide that "base of knowledge" in which to move forwward with constructivism. Thanks for the share.
The best way for me to learn and retain new information has been through a combination of techniques. I believe that I have used memory and constructivism as a baseline for my schema. I would memorize specific facts and when two or more facts click together (using knowledge construction), I suppose what happens is that then provides a structure for making sense of the newly realized/learned information. Meaningful learning in my own education has also been real learning. This is real learning because with meaningful learning I am pulling out old information that has been stored in my long-term memory piecing it together with new information and with that, usually deeper understanding of the material and change happens.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're aware of how the terms we've learned have worked for you and your method of learning! I think our processes are similar; especially with using constructivism as a base for schema....didn't we discuss that they were very similar in structure too? Like knowledge construction and schema both are shaped by other outside factors aside from the transmissive mode, making them both an alternative way of thinking about things but a difference is that constructivism often leads to schema? Just a thought...couldn't recall if that was our conversation or one I had with another group!
DeleteMarlene,
DeleteI definitely relate to your use of memory and constructivism when it comes to meaningful learning! I think both serve as excellent starting points in developing real knowledge. Your idea of piecing new information together with old information is also something that I find very important. I think that real learning tends to involve a mix of newly and previously acquired knowledge.
Hi there Marlene,
DeleteSeems like we are somewhat on the same page. As I'm reading through these I'm taking away the idea that there really isn't one sure fire way for anyone to learn and retain new information. Memory seems to be the most popular method for retaining the information and make that move from short term memory to long term memory. I like the connection you mention of utilizing information from long term memory to piece together with the new information to have a deeper understanding of the material. Thanks for the share.
I like to think I am a visual learner, even though I don't normally like to place myself in any one particular category of learning styles. I can say that many of the things I remember have been a result of either memory representation and/or through mnemonic devices (especially for rote memorization). I think constructivism has shaped my best practice of learning because I've had to figure out my own way of understanding a concept aside from the teacher's transmissive method of instruction.
ReplyDeleteI believe meaningful learning is the learning where I have to think about the process for a while, enough to know that I don't understand how to get the answer, which causes me to challenge myself by using any schema I have of the subject and once mastered, being able to apply that to other areas of my life in ways that create new/ more ideas is meaningful learning.
hello Dawn. I agree that constructivism is probably the best way to gain true understanding of transmitted material. When we use constructivism to comprehend new information we are making our brains literally work to get it. I also agree that meaningful learning entails understanding the process from question to answer.
DeleteHi Dawn,
DeleteI think mnemonic devices are extremely useful when it comes to memorization - I've used them many times in the past! Constructivism is definitely a great method of learning after a teacher has transmitted information. In my own experience, constructivism has always helped me learn best. I can also relate to your definition of meaningful learning. Building new ideas off of former ones is a great sign that you are actively using and constructing knowledge.
I must admit that over the course of my life, retaining information has not necessarily been my forte. I have tried a few different techniques such as flashcards, repetition, association, etc. and I cannot say that any ‘one’ of them has been the ‘one’ to be more productive than any of the others. I have found that a combination of the different techniques seem to work a little better for me. I do feel as if repetition over a decent amount of time helps to work the new information from my working memory to my long term memory as well as taking the larger amount of information and breaking it up into more manageable chunks to review and absorb at a time. As I learning more about the environment (my major) it is helpful for me to be out in nature using all my senses to obtain and retain this information. Learning now the different methods of teaching, as a student and looking back on my schooling, I have experienced both constructivism and transmission and can pretty confidently say that new information that was presented in the form of constructivism has definitely contributed to meaningful learning in my life. I am also aware though, in my opinion, in order to experience constructivism I have experienced transmission somewhere along the way to add “facts” and building blocks to my schema in order to participate fully in latter parts of my education and to contribute to my experience of meaningful learning. In the transmission phase of my learning it proved that repetition was the most useful for learning and retaining new information.
ReplyDeleteHello Armando. I also experienced that when I use more than one method, depending on what I am learning,can be more helpful. Sometimes using repetition in combination with association helps me learn certain material, and constructivism is most helpful for a subject such as math. I also agree that possibly the most efficient way to just "add 'facts' as building blocks to my schema" may be through transmission.
DeleteI learn best through auditory and visual stimuli. I like new information to be transmitted by the teacher so that I can then process it and use constructivism to create meaning. I also like to use rote memorization in certain situations (mainly when it comes to memorizing French vocabulary or mathematical equations).
ReplyDeleteI believe that meaningful learning involves the ability to apply new knowledge accurately in real-world situations. I like to have the sense that I really understand something and can explain it easily to others. Meaningful learning is an active process and may take time to develop, but it is worth the effort.
Thanks for the insight Rachel. Understanding how you work best gives you a greater empathy towards students (if you plan on being an educator in any way!) which definitely leads to better communication between everyone. The idea of meaningful learning being a process, ultimately taking time is also something I've never voiced but definitely believe in, because so often we think everyone learns through the transmissive method, and not only that but learns it quickly. I guess schools rarely discuss WITH the students, how best they learn....or even other ways of learning which I think is important to be introduced in classrooms.
DeleteHi there Rachel. So I like what you have to say. It is important to have an idea of how best you can absord the information that is coming your way. I like your take on the transmission from the teacher, but I have to say I'm not sure what you might mean about using constructivism after you have processed it. I do the same thing with the need to have some time afterwards to go over the information at my own pace and on my own. When you mention the constructivism method to create meaning, I was wondering, is this with another peer? Or maybe with the teacher or a mentor? Who is it that you discuss the new information with to understand it better?
DeleteI cannot agree with you more about rote memorization for items such as vocabulary and mathematics. These subjects, in my opinion, can best be learned in that fashion and can provide that "base of knowledge" in which to move forwward with constructivism. Thanks for the share.