Synectics is a set of process tools which can be used in an explicit order or individually according to the requirements of the situation. Synectics incorporates the brainstorming principle of suspending judgment and broadens it to defining problems, objectives and needs. It uses metaphorical processes to stimulate thinking. Synectics is used to spark the creative process and uncover new views … [Read more...]
Instructional Approaches to Teaching Cognitive Learning Strategies
Learning strategies are naturally cognitively based. They can be broken down into two categories: Cognitive domain strategies (organization, rehearsal, elaboration) and Affective domain strategies (self-motivational skills such as time management, stress reduction techniques). Seven approaches to teaching cognitive strategies are discovery and guided discovery (instructor leads the learner to … [Read more...]
Learning Strategies and Assessment of Psychomotor Skills
The distinctiveness of the beginning and end points of psychomotor skills can be categorized as discrete (a single step or few steps) and continuous (having subtle beginning and ending points). Closed skills (no active influence from the environment) and open skills (influenced by the environment) are another means of categorizing psychomotor skills (Smith and Ragan, 2005). Learners can be … [Read more...]
Adults Are Problem-Centered in Their Learning Orientation
Adult learners are problem-centered in their learning orientation. They are motivated to learn to the extent that learning will help them perform tasks or deal with real-life problems. Problem solving yields new learning as learners are able to combine prior knowledge of principles, procedures, declarative knowledge, and cognitive strategies. Learning strategies are generated by the learners … [Read more...]
Activities Common to All Declarative Knowledge Learning
Three activities common to all declarative knowledge learning are linking, organizing, and elaborating. Linking prior knowledge to new knowledge brings meaning to the new information and allows the learner to store the incoming information in long-term memory. Organizing (chunking) facilitates learning of declarative knowledge by chunking, separating, subordinating, and creating … [Read more...]
Concept Instruction May Follow an Inquiry or Expository Approach
Learning strategies are devices employed by learners to assist in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Instruction should guide the learner in the choice of appropriate learning strategies for particular learning tasks. Facilitating the learning of declarative knowledge, concepts, procedures, principles, problem solving, cognitive, attitudes, and psychomotor skills begins with decisions on … [Read more...]
Adults Bring Prior Knowledge Into New Learning Situations
Because adult learners bring their prior knowledge and experiences into a new learning situation, learners’ interest is aroused by comparing their previous learning experiences to the anticipated new experience. A mnemonic device may be used as a learning strategy to aid learners in recalling the steps of the procedure (declarative learning). Practice involves recalling and performing the steps of … [Read more...]
Instructional Approaches to Teaching Cognitive Learning Strategies
By Shirley J. Caruso, Ed.D. Learning strategies are naturally cognitively based. They can be broken down into two categories: Cognitive domain strategies (organization, rehearsal, elaboration) and Affective domain strategies (self-motivational skills such as time management, stress reduction techniques). Seven approaches to teaching cognitive strategies are discovery and guided discovery … [Read more...]
Instructional Approaches for Affective Learning
The congnitivist learning theory supports the assumption underlying andragogy that adults have a wealth of previous knowledge and experience. As adults, we enter into learning situations with predisposed perceptions and judgments that make us more receptive to certain kinds of information and more prone to organize the information in certain ways. Attitudes are generally affective. They are … [Read more...]
Instructional Strategies Provide a Plan for Assisting Learners
Instructional strategies provide a plan for assisting the learners with their efforts for each performance objective. Instructional strategies take the form of a lesson plan or a set of production specifications. The purpose is to outline how instructional activities will relate to, and assist the learner with meeting, the performance objectives. These strategies include the … [Read more...]