Creative Learning Connections
Knowledge integration involves the retrieval and categorization of
information and experiences in a manner that connects ideas and creates
frameworks that can be recalled, reimagined, and reused. This is one of the topics discussed in How
People Learn II, a research-based work by the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Through their extensive studies on knowledge and reasoning, they have
developed five strategies that support learning. These strategies include retrieval practice,
spaced practice, and interleaved or variable practice, all of which are
exercises to help increase knowledge retention.
The final two strategies are designed to increase understanding and
integration. These strategies include
summarizing and drawing, as well as developing explanations.
Mark Gura’s article, Fostering Student Creativity encourages educators to make creativity a primary learning goal for their students. Gura explains that creativity is necessary for innovative solutions to problems in society, brought on by the rapid changes occurring in our world today. Additionally, Victor Rivero’s article, A Whole New Class of Art, outlines technological tools that can be used to promote student creativity and learning. There were two tools that seemed to be geared toward problem solving, decision making, and innovation. These include Buncee and CreatED.
This creative approach to problem solving not
only connects with the inferential, problem-based learning from How People
Learn II, but also to the thoughts of Gura and the learning tools outlined
by Rivero. They can also be connected to the
International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standard 1.7 Global
Communicator. The Global Communicator,
1.7b "Multiple Viewpoints" states, “Students use
collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts and
community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.” It is clear that creativity and the creative
use of technology integration in the classroom can aid in increasing knowledge
and reasoning capabilities.
References
Gura, M. (2020).
Fostering student creativity:
facing and embracing the next defining frontier in teaching and
learning. EdTech Digest the State of
the Arts, Creativity and Technology 2020, 7.
International Society for Technology in Education. (2019).
ISTE standards, 3-4. https://cms-live-media.iste.org/ISTE-Standards-One-Sheet_Combined_11-22-2021_vF4-1-4.pdf
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. (2018).
How people learn II: learners,
contexts, and cultures. The National
Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.172226/24783.
Rivero, V. (2020).
A whole new class of art. EdTech
Digest the State of the Arts, Creativity and Technology 202, 12-20.
Meagan, I really enjoyed how you explained the five strategies that support learning. In your graphic, you mentioned that these strategies can be used by people of all ages. As someone who went back for my first masters degree after the age of 40 and will complete this degree at 47, I know that having these tools in my toolbox to assist with learning now are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteMeagan, I enjoyed reading about your insight from the same chapter that I read regarding the different creative approaches mentioned the reading. After looking at your graphic, I saw some more insight than what I saw when I was reading. When you talked about summarizing and drawing, I realized how important it is to elaborate on what you learned. It creates a better understanding of what you learned.
ReplyDeleteMeagan, your introduction paragraph is very informative. I did read this chapter myself, but you have simplified it to help your readers better understand the content! In reference to the concept of spaced practice, I noticed after reading the chapter that I am the type of student that feels the necessity to write notes about EVERYTHING I learn in my courses. This, as you can imagine, is very time consuming. So, I learned that not only should I, as a student, try out different, more simple method of recall to remember what I learn in my course, but as a future educator, I want to strive to make my learning content as simple but informative as possible so that students can use their own prefered methods of recall more effectively while also implementing the concept of spaced practice. Your infographic is the perfect example of what I should strive to create for my students to view as an educator because it is simple, easy to follow, yet still very informative!
ReplyDeleteHello Meagan, I enjoyed reading your blog and how you created your infographic. I read the same chapter and had a different viewpoint on it. Your insight into the chapter and the connection you made to Gura's article is very informative. I really enjoyed that you mentioned the 5 learning strategies, and that age didn't matter when utilizing them. What an excellent post!
ReplyDelete