Caffeinated Learning
  • Home
  • Anne Beninghof
  • Consulting
  • Tips Blog
  • The Books
    • Sample Chapter
  • Contact

Increase Comprehension and Retention through Connections

3/22/2021

0 Comments

 
Did you know that the human stomach has gastric folds within it that allow it to stretch to contain up to 4 liters of food and fluid? This makes me think of the accordion blinds that hang in my office window. 

This is one of many facts I am learning as I study anatomy – a COVID quarantine way to pass my time. Trying to learn something that is totally new and unconnected to my career path or other hobbies has been a fascinating journey. It has given me the opportunity to consider and apply the cognitive and neuroscience research from the perspective of the learner. This, in turn, has led me to create even more ideas to support the learners in my training sessions.

For example, we know from research that making connections between prior and new knowledge improves understanding and retention. Instructors often use analogies to assist learners in making these connections. While helpful, these are instructor-driven rather than learner-driven. Given that not all learners have the same background or personal interests, it has been proven more effective to have the learners create their own connections. Here’s a simple and effective way to do it:
  1. Near the beginning of your session, direct everyone to grab a sticky note.
  2. Ask them to label it “Hobbies and Interests” and then jot down at least 6 things that fall in that category for them.
  3. Direct everyone to place the note on the table or on the edge of their computer screen so that it is visible throughout the session.
  4. As you make important points, ask participants to look at their sticky note and make a connection between the learning and a hobby or interest. Allow time for silent writing, followed by sharing.
  5. Alternatively, you may choose to use a full sheet of paper instead of a sticky note. Direct everyone to create a web as shown in the illustration, with the learning topic in the center and hobbies/interests surrounding it. Encourage them to add their connections as the session progresses. This will also allow room for doodling.
Picture
Telling isn't that same as teaching. Participating isn't the same as learning. So pack your session with research-based ideas like this one. Want more? Contact me to discuss how we can customize some professional learning activities for your team. 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    For even more ideas...

    Subscribe to our mailing list

    * indicates required

    Author

    Anne Beninghof is passionate about teaching and learning.

    Archives

    February 2022
    December 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    RSS Feed

    var switchTo5x=true; >
Privacy Policy, 2018
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • Anne Beninghof
  • Consulting
  • Tips Blog
  • The Books
    • Sample Chapter
  • Contact