The Learning Process

For Secondary STEM Education

Tammy Moncel
EdTech 541
Six Key Ideas

1. Prior Knowledge
2. Motivation
3. Differentiation
4. Strategic Processing
5. Assessment
6. Memory
Consider the Periodic Table of the Elements.
Prior Knowledge
What do you already know?
What do you notice?
Is there a relationship between element names & symbols?
Dr. Barry Beers (2006) states, people
can build on pre-existing knowledge
To facilitate the acquisition of new
understandings. (p. 15).
To motivate students, point out familiar elements
Aluminum
in pop cans
Helium
in party
balloons
Calcium
helps
build
strong
bones
Many element symbols are the first two letters
of the element name.
Calcium
Ca
Helium
He
Argon
Ar
Guess the symbols for Aluminum, Nickel and Silicon
What would you guess the symbols to be for Aluminum, Nickel and Silicon?

You probably guessed

Al, Ni, and Si
Dr. Alexander explains that effective learners
exhibit strategic processing. They use critical
thinking strategies and problem solving.
(Laureate Education, Inc. 2008)
Differentiation can help to learn element symbols that are
more challenging.
Sodium
Na
Gold
Au
Copper
Cu
Au Come back with my GOLD watch!!!
I Cu Copper!!
Na, I dont want any sodium on my food!!
Dr. Patricia Wolf explains that the lobes of the brains control
different senses and it is important to allow learning to be
explored through different parts of the brain. (Laureate Education, Inc. 2008)
Visual
Auditory
Higher order
Thinking
Sensory Data
Dr. Wolf also explains, The more you practice
and the more ways you practice make synapses
stronger (Laureate Education, Inc. 2008)
Blakemore & Frith (2005) note, A
fundamental characteristic of brain
development is that environmental
experiences are as important as
genetic programmes (p. 461)
Au
Cu
Na
REVIEW
Assessment
Silicon Au

Aluminum Na

Nickel Cu

Gold Si

Copper Ni

Sodium Al
Quiz yourself
Silicon Au

Aluminum Na

Nickel Cu

Gold Si

Copper Ni

Sodium Al

Silicon = Si
Aluminum = Al
Nickel = Ni
Gold = Au
Copper = Cu
Sodium = Na
Six Key Ideas

1. Prior Knowledge
2. Motivation
3. Differentiation
4. Strategic Processing
5. Assessment
6. Memory
Useful Websites
CLICK AWAY!
Periodic Table Overview video
Link with a lot more games
STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Multi modal Visual, Verbal, Kinesthetic
References

Beers, B. (2006). Learning-driven schools: A practical guide for teachers and
principals. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision of
Curriculum and Development.

Blakemore, S., Frith, U. (2005). The learning brain: Lessons for education: a
prcis. Developmental Science, 8(6), 459465.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2008). Teacher leadership in the
classroom: Increasing learning and achievement. Baltimore: Author.