Cognitive science research explains how to best support learning and maximize retention of knowledge. However, implementing these best practices can be challenging in the online environment. Together, we will explore how to maximize technology to support best practices of cognitive science research and help students retain what they learn.
Why don’t they know this stuff?!?! Students today often rely upon last minute cramming and rereading, with the occasional highlighting, to prepare for quizzes and exams. While these study practices may be effective at helping students feel prepared for a specific test, cognitive science research overwhelmingly demonstrates that this type of studying does not lead to learning that endures. The information students crammed for last semester’s final will be long forgotten when the time comes to apply it to next semester’s courses.
In this session, we will provide a concise overview of best practices for teaching and learning, as framed by the field of cognitive science. Participants will participate in practical teaching strategies that can be implemented in the online classroom immediately, with minimal investment of time. In particular, we will focus on the ways that tools such as Canvas, Poll Everywhere, Kaltura, Kahoot, Google and Piazza can be used in innovative ways to make teaching more effective and student learning more durable.
Participants will be actively engaged in large group discussion, audience polling, exploration of various platforms, and design of simple retrieval practice activities. Participants will leave prepared to incorporate practical and easy ways to use technology to help students retain what they learn – beyond this semester’s final exam. Participants will discover how to easily build in learning experiences that students will remember.