Cognitive Structuring: Cognitive Structuring: Task-based performance Task-based performance assistingassisting

LinKai Jianglj2306@tc.Columbia.edu

Teachers College, Columbia University

Research QuestionResearch Question

What is the role of task in the process of cognitive structuring?

What is cognitive What is cognitive structuring?structuring?

(Tharp & Gallimore 1988)(Tharp & Gallimore 1988)

Type 1: provides a framework to structure the content. Ex. “carrots are vegetables”

Type II: provides a framework to structure the cognitive activities. Aka learning strategies

Data & MethodData & Method

3.5 hours of video recording from two adult community English classes(CEP&CI).

Classroom documents.Line by line analysis of verbal

utterance.Classroom documents used to

provide context & to support the argument.

CEP Student TaskCEP Student Task

CEP Case AnalysisCEP Case Analysis

CEP Case Analysis Cont’dCEP Case Analysis Cont’d

Grammar-based StrategyGrammar-based Strategy

Step 1: Identifying the word type.

Step 2: transforming the new word into a different word type.

Step 3: verifying the definition of the new word in the context of a sentence.

CI Student TaskCI Student Task

Without using a dictionary, the students worked in pairs to figure out the meaning of the underlined word or phrase in the sentences taken from a NPR story on diabetes.

"The rates of diabetes are going up by almost an order of magnitude over the last generation, and they are going up very rapidly in the U.S. too." 

CI Case AnalysisCI Case Analysis

CI Case Analysis Cont’dCI Case Analysis Cont’d

Semantics-based Strategy Semantics-based Strategy

Identifying the relevant semantic parts of the sentence and making the semantic relationship explicit.

FindingsFindings

CEP Case: grammar-based strategy helps student score almost 100% on the test.

CI Case: dwelling on the grammar would not help the students.

Limitation & Future Limitation & Future Research Research

Need longitudinal analysis of student work and a comparison of their understanding before and after being taught the learning strategy.

Linking teacher action to student learning outcome.

Pedagogical ImplicationPedagogical Implication

Learning strategies need to be repeatedly applied with a consideration of the specific nature of tasks in order to be effective.

ReferencesReferencesCochran-Smith, M. (2003). Learning and unlearning: The education of teacher educators. Teaching and Teacher Education, 19(1), 5-28. Joram, E. & Gabriele, A.J. (1998). Preservice teachers' prior beliefs: transforming obstacles into opportunities. Teaching and Teacher Education, 14(2), 175-191.

Lemke, J. L. (1990). Talking science: Language, learning, and values (Chapter 3: “If you weren’t whispering to Scott..”). Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

Pupura, J. & Pinkley, D. (2000). On target 2. White Plains, NY: Longman.  Tharp, R. G., & Gallimore, R. (1988). The means of assisting performance. In Rousing minds to life: Teaching, learning, and schooling in social context (Chapter 3). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes (Chapter 6). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.