applying cognitive learning theories to engage and motivate students in stem classrooms stephen...

Applying Cognitive Learning Theories to Engage and Motivate

Students in STEM Classrooms

Stephen TonksEducational Psychology

May 15, 2013

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Cognitive Science & STEM Ed

1. Learning is constructive, not receptive2. Motivation and beliefs are integral to

cognition3. Social interaction is fundamental to

cognitive development4. Knowledge, strategies, and expertise are

contextual

*Bruning, Schraw, Norby, and Ronning (2004)

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1. Learning is Constructive

• Constructivism: People combine existing knowledge with new information to build new knowledge

• Learning = constructing meaning• Students need to make their own discoveries

and thus construct their own knowledge• Duckworth (2006) on Piaget: Create a

classroom where students can discover

*Piaget & others 4

What do you see?

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Constructivism in the Classroom

• Any amount of “active” helps• Background knowledge is HUGE• A range of experiences and many

experiences help students learn• Experiences become background

knowledge• Expending effort & deep processing aids

memory

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3. Social Interaction is Fundamental

• Cognitive skills evolve from social interactions with parents, teachers, etc.

• Culture uses “tools for thought”– Speech, writing, mathematical & scientific concepts

• Relatedness as a psychological need• In classrooms: Groupwork, scaffolding, peer tutoring,

reciprocal teaching, CUT SOME OF THESE?

*Vygotsky; Deci & Ryan

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4. Cognitions are Contextual

• Cognitive growth occurs in a sociocultural context that influences the form it takes

• Transfer of advanced skills is difficult• EXPAND?

– Knowledge, strategies, expertise

*Vygotsky

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2. Motivation & Beliefs are Integral

• Many modern motivation theories• Self-efficacy (Bandura, etc.)• Mindset Theory (Dweck)• Achievement Goals (Pintrich, etc.)• Self-Determination Theory

– Three Psychological Needs

*Deci & Ryan

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Self-Determination TheoryThree Psychological Needs

• Autonomy• Relatedness• Competence

• Innate• Fulfillment = Good• Deprivation = Bad

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• A-B-C (for easy recall)• Environment can change motivation

*Deci & Ryan

Perceived Autonomy

• Students need to feel that they have some control over their own learning

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Mark Twain on Autonomy

…Work consists of whatever a body is OBLIGED to do, and that Play consists of whatever a body is not obliged to do. And this would help him to understand why constructing artificial flowers or performing on a tread-mill is work, while rolling ten-pins or climbing Mont Blanc is only amusement. There are wealthy gentlemen in England who drive four-horse passenger-coaches twenty or thirty miles on a daily line, in the summer, because the privilege costs them considerable money; but if they were offered wages for the service, that would turn it into work and then they would resign. 12

Autonomy Support

• How to– Provide choices– Encourage– Give rationales

• How not to– Give orders– Use bribes– Make threats

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• Giving students SOME control over their own learning

• Opposite of controlling behavior

Why Support Autonomy?

• Conceptual understanding• Retention of content• Achievement• Intrinsic motivation• Positive affect

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Now, Apply It!

• Take one concept that you teach, and apply an idea from today

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