http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2008/07/29/powerful-learning-another-way-we-can-connect-the-standards/ by Kristin Fontichiaro Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:43:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2008/07/29/powerful-learning-another-way-we-can-connect-the-standards/#comment-39737 Wayne A. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:01:04 +0000 http://blog.schoollibrarymedia.com/index.php/2008/07/29/powerful-learning-another-way-we-can-connect-the-standards/#comment-39737 I agree with the idea mentioned as from AASL Standards Connection in the blog entry “Powerful Learning – Another Way We Can Connect The Standard” The blog entry states, “1.1.2 ‘Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.’” Also mentioned in the blog entry and again from AASL Standards Connection is “4.1.5 ‘Connect ideas to . . . previous knowledge and experience.’” This is a very valid idea. I think it is very important that whenever possible to teach at a pace that new information and concepts can attach to existing knowledge. Learning through increments is a solid way to build depth of understanding. Certainly learning styles can vary, but I feel confident that an overall underlying phenomena in learning is that information bits bind together best like a giant snowball that is assembled through many rolled on layers. When too much new information is given at once, there may be not enough time for a learner to process the information. The learner needs to classify the information and then browse their own mental shelves to know which “books” should be adjacent to the new information. I think learning also parallels with certain historical developments. For example popular rock music did not completely invent itself in the last fifty years from thin air. Many of the harmonies, rhythms, orchestrational and structural techniques existed before. The ingredients of popular rock music are attached to previous music knowledge. It is very unlikely that rock music would have developed from classical music. A layer of knowledge needed to be present. This layer of knowledge would be the features found in jazz, blues, and country music. Like historical development, I think that the learning process is incremental. I agree with the idea mentioned as from AASL Standards Connection in the blog entry “Powerful Learning – Another Way We Can Connect The Standard” The blog entry states, “1.1.2 ‘Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.’” Also mentioned in the blog entry and again from AASL Standards Connection is “4.1.5 ‘Connect ideas to . . . previous knowledge and experience.’” This is a very valid idea. I think it is very important that whenever possible to teach at a pace that new information and concepts can attach to existing knowledge. Learning through increments is a solid way to build depth of understanding. Certainly learning styles can vary, but I feel confident that an overall underlying phenomena in learning is that information bits bind together best like a giant snowball that is assembled through many rolled on layers. When too much new information is given at once, there may be not enough time for a learner to process the information. The learner needs to classify the information and then browse their own mental shelves to know which “books” should be adjacent to the new information. I think learning also parallels with certain historical developments. For example popular rock music did not completely invent itself in the last fifty years from thin air. Many of the harmonies, rhythms, orchestrational and structural techniques existed before. The ingredients of popular rock music are attached to previous music knowledge. It is very unlikely that rock music would have developed from classical music. A layer of knowledge needed to be present. This layer of knowledge would be the features found in jazz, blues, and country music. Like historical development, I think that the learning process is incremental.

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