Information Processing Theory

    Getting 6th graders to process information is like pulling teeth for the Toothfairy. Everyone needs to do it but it can be a headache at times. Reading this chapter, I've learned that in order to get my students learning I have to introduce material into their working memory. This is the active part of their brain where they link any background knowledge and make sense of anything new. 

    Going through the different stages, I can see what subjects go with what stages. For example, I teach Earth Science and one concept that I teach is the different types of minerals. During this section, we introduce the Mohs Hardness Scale. This scale tells the students how hard a mineral is compared to another. When I am teaching this, students are using the sensory register part of their memory. Along with receiving the new information, they are using their sense of smell, touch, sight, and sometimes taste to understand the difference in minerals. In order to get this information to stick, I have to be conscious of how much information I give them at one time. If my students aren't told this is important, they will not remember it.

    Another very important detail I got out of chapter five is the way I introduce my lessons. Even though, I know my students will not remember everything I teach them if they remember 75% of the information I will be just as happy. When you introduce something new, you should always try to include a couple of things. First, you should build background. See, if your students already know something about the subject. When I open a discussion, I listen to my students to see if they know or if they know of by family members. "Instructional strategies that actively involve students in lessons contribute to long-term retention (Slavin, 2014, p.132). 

    Second, grab their attention. Every lesson should open with an attention grabber. Once you have their interest, it is hard for them to take the attention off of you. They are like little fishes hooked on your every word then. For me, every day is a different introduction. I can introduce one concept five different ways just so I reach all of my students. One day, I may introduce with Mr. Lee's Rock Cycle Rap. The next day I may introduce with Bill Nye and then I may introduce with Science Bob. As I'm introducing these lessons, I sit with my students and do the work with them. When we take notes, I have them think about what is important and lead the way to success. This way students are learning and putting their own work into their long term memory bank. I'm not forcing the learning but we are doing the learning together. The information processing theory will help any teacher be more effective throughout the year. A good teacher should always remember learning new information is not always easy but getting the students involved can help any information transfer over to their long term memory.