How Students Learn, Creatively! Blog post week 3

 

    This week's readings are woven together with the threads of creativity, technology, communication, and engagement. Cognitive processes take center stage in any meaningful discussion about learning, and it comes as no surprise that cognitive processes must be supported for learning to occur (National Academies Press, 2018). First, attention to the task at hand must be given, and regulation of emotions must be present. Furthermore, inhibition of wrong answers is part of the cognitive puzzle (Committee on How People Learn, 2018). Secondly, memory plays a crucial role in learning. Two types of memory are currently recognized: working memory, with temporary storage of information, and long-term memory, with its broader data storage. 

     Three critical cognitive processes make up the building blocks of learning: metacognition, executive function, and self-regulation. Megacognition can be defined as "thinking about your thinking". Executive function is a process that utilizes the whole brain to manipulate and retain information, and self-regulation requires the learner's will, curiosity, and cognitive skills working together to complete the learning process (National Academies Press, 2018). 

    What can an educator do to facilitate these processes, which can seem overwhelming on the surface? According to Mark Gura, technology and creativity can be valuable tools in an educator's toolkit that tie it all together (Gura, 2016). Technology allows a cycle of learning, creating, and responding as students publish authentic work pieces that can be responded to, updated, and even recycled into new learning. This cycle of learning and responding correlates beautifully to ISTE Standard 6, Creative Communicator. This standard encourages student-centered work that invites feedback and collaboration with an intended audience (International Society for Technology in Education, 2017).

References:

Gura, M. (2016). Make, learn, succeed: Building a culture of creativity in your school. International Society for Tech in Ed.

International Society for Technology in Education. (2017). Iste Standards for Students: A Practical Guide for Learning with technology.

National Academies Press. (2018). How people learn Ii learners, contexts, and Cultures: Committee on how People learn ii: The Science and Practice of Learning: Board on Behavioral, cognitive, and Sensory Sciences: Board on Science Education: Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and education: A consensus study report of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, medicine.