Implications for Teaching, Learning and Curriculum: The Work of David Ausubel
Aug 6, 2022
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Sarah Cottingham joins the podcast to discuss how David Ausubel's work impacts teaching, learning, and curriculum design. They explore meaningful learning, cognitive psychology in math teaching, and enhancing understanding through cognitive assessment and retrieval practice. The discussion emphasizes prioritizing comprehension over memorization and engaging with structured teaching strategies.
Meaningful learning involves connecting new information to prior knowledge for a rich tapestry of knowledge.
Subsumption organizes detailed information under generalized concepts, facilitating comprehensive understanding in learning.
Utilizing advanced organizers helps students connect concepts, self-regulate learning, and retain knowledge effectively.
Deep dives
Isabelle's Key Ideas on Meaningful Learning
Isabelle emphasizes the importance of building bodies of knowledge in school to connect new information to prior knowledge. Meaningful learning involves creating connections between new information and existing knowledge, weaving them into a tapestry of knowledge rather than focusing solely on memorization. Prior knowledge plays a vital role, influencing what learners can understand and learn. Isabelle's concept stresses meaningful learning where new meanings are born from connecting new information to prior knowledge.
Hierarchy of Concepts and Subsumption in Learning
Isabelle discusses the hierarchy of concepts in learning, where more generalized concepts organize and stabilize more detailed information. Subsumption involves attaching new learning to overarching concepts known as 'subsumers.' Derivative subsumption occurs when specific examples are forgotten easily as they are already represented by prior propositions. Correlative subsumption involves modifying and extending existing concepts to broaden understanding. Superordinate learning refers to gaining broader concepts after learning details.
Advanced Organizers and Learning Tools
Isabelle advocates for advanced organizers to ensure learners have necessary generalized concepts before delving into specific material. Expository advanced organizers explain general concepts needed for understanding, while comparative ones clarify differences between similar concepts. Advanced organizers help organize learners' knowledge, assisting in connecting and expanding understanding. They are valuable in training students to self-regulate their learning process and understand the interconnectedness of concepts.
Importance of Prior Knowledge in Teaching
Understanding and assessing what students already know is crucial in teaching, as highlighted by the podcast episode. The emphasis lies on tailoring teaching methods based on the existing knowledge of students to ensure meaningful learning experiences. By acknowledging and building upon students' prior knowledge, educators can create effective learning environments that facilitate the retention of rich bodies of knowledge instead of isolated facts or information. This learner-centered approach aligns with the core principle emphasized by the podcast.
Aim for Rich Bodies of Knowledge and Subsumption
The podcast underscores the importance of cultivating rich bodies of knowledge among students rather than focusing on memorizing discrete pieces of information. It advocates for utilizing the concept of subsumption to help learners connect more generalized concepts to specific details effectively. Through the use of advanced organizers and a hierarchical approach to learning, educators can guide students towards developing a comprehensive understanding of subjects. Prioritizing meaningful connections and the integration of prior knowledge into teaching practices emerges as a key strategy for promoting long-term retention and meaningful learning experiences.
Episode 84: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Christopher Such and Sarah Cottingham as we sit down to discuss the work of David Ausubel and the implications his work might have on how we approach teaching, learning and curriculum design. It was an absolute honour to speak with Sarah and, in the process, bring together two of education's brightest minds for one mind-blowing conversation.
Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one...bring a pen and paper...you'll need it!
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