Learning as a Constructive Process by Anne Monsalve

Cognitive processes influence what is learned

annemonsalve — 2014-09-11 14:08:02 UTC

Trying to interpret what we see, hear, and study applies to all learners no matter the grade level. This area impacts me for so many reasons. First of all, I have learned many different ways to take in information. As the examples in the text mention, I sometimes make up a story or even a song in order to remember things I need. Typically, I remember these encoding strategies for years. I still have most of them with me. When I was younger, I use to come up with stories about my times tables in order to memorize them! In my future career as a teacher of high school students, my cognitive process will again be important. It will influence how I teach my future students, and may end up impacting how they learn as well.

Learners must be selective about what they focus on and learn

annemonsalve — 2014-09-11 14:09:31 UTC

As a current student learner, being selective about what to focus on is a difficult task. This semester alone I am taking 21 credits. For those of you with a packed schedule, you’ll easily understand how much information must be coming my way. I am a perfectionist by nature. I tend to pay attention to smaller details and ignore the big picture until the last minute. In other words, I focus on each little piece before looking at the entire puzzle. Sometimes, this works in my favor, and other times, it impacts me negatively. I love knowledge. It is part of the reason I want to become a teacher. It is the profession that never stops advancing. However, being selective on what I actually learn andremember is tricky because there is so much I want to know.

Learners actively create - rather than passively absorb - much of what they know and believe about the world

annemonsalve — 2014-09-11 14:11:10 UTC

Learning to actively create applies to me the most out of the four. A huge part of being an English major is learning to read a text or passage and create meaning from it. This is done by looking at word usage, tone, and by drawing on previous knowledge. Although there is usually more than one meaning for a text or excerpt from a text, ideas are always accepted as long as enough information is there to back it up. By creating theories and ideas, my learning and knowledge is expanded by this more than any lecture I have ever received.

Learners use what they already know and believe to help them make sense of new experiences

annemonsalve — 2014-09-11 14:12:24 UTC

Activating prior knowledge is one of the best things a students can do while learning a new subject. When I draw on what I already know to be true, things click in my head so much faster than if I try to learn everything from scratch. For example, I am hoping to get certified in special education. There are six courses I need to complete before I can take my PECT tests. As I move up the courses levels, I am able to draw on information learned in the previous courses in order to develop a deeper understanding of new information given to me. Recalling previously learned knowledge is actually an eye-opener at times. Sometimes, we don’t actually realize how much we have learned in such a short span of time.

annemonsalve — 2014-09-11 14:16:05 UTC

annemonsalve — 2014-09-11 14:16:57 UTC

annemonsalve — 2014-09-11 14:17:33 UTC