I chose this learning object for its simplistic and 'unimpressive' nature, as a counterpoint to the fancier simulations I and others employ in their teaching.
The Arithmetic Workout learning object is simply a timed multiplication table, with 3 separate levels, that students complete in random order. My grade 6 and 7 students love it, and this type of activity is one of the only ways that works to strengthen their basic multiplication (and consequently, dividing) skills. Another similar activity that students love, to a surprisingly elder age, is World Maths Day and World Maths Challenge. It's the same sort of activity where students do simple arithmetic as fast as they can on the computer in a competitive environment (against themselves and others)
The use of this learning object may seem non-constructivist (because it is), and too behaviourist, but that is the point for this activity. As per the ideas of Cognitive Load Theory, I believe students need a base of knowledge which they can then expand on. Students cannot quickly do advanced problems in math, physics, or many other sciences and disciplines if they do not have basic mental math skills. The mental math skills in turn cannot be developed without a memorized base of number skills.
Once students build schemas into their long term memory, the idea is that an entire schema and its connections with other schema can be uploaded into working memory as a single entity, thus allowing the student's working memory to hold enough new pieces of knowledge to solve complex problems. This is a way of expanding, or supplementing the limited capacity of working memory with long term memory.
Artino, A.R.,.J. (2008). Cognitive Load Theory and the Role of Learner Experience: An Abbreviated Review for Educational Practitioners. AACE Journal. 16 (4), pp. 425-439. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/arithmetic
No comments:
Post a Comment