Cognitive Learning

Both our text and Dr. Orey's video clip discussed the importance of using various graphic organizers. Dr. Orey also spoke about visuals and how they help a student to remember new information, especially when those visuals can help make some sort of personal connection with the learner. I think that students can use graphic organizers, such as concept webs to help them organize their new information. Kids hear so much through out one school day. They need to be able to take what they have learned and apply it in something like a graphic organizer. " Teachers can also use expository, narrative, and graphic organizers alone or combine them to form compelling introductory materials that will hep students focus on the essential concepts and themes that will prepare them to learn" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski, 2007, p. 74).

Dr. Orey and the text suggests that educators be sure that technology supports our teaching rather than technology teaching for us. Using teaching strategies such as creating graphic organizers, is an excellent way to incorporate technology while not letting it be the main focus of the students' learning.