Not all PIGS 'oink'

In learning about the Social Interactive model of teaching, we were provided with the acronym/mnemonic device 'PIGS'.  Each letter represents a characteristic of cooperative learning, which is the basis of the Social Interactive model.  'P' represents Positive Interdependence, 'I' is for Individual accountability, 'G' represents Group Processing, and 'S' is for Social Skills (Face-to-Face Interactions).  

Effective mnemonic device can help learners remember important information; and they are not just for this particular model of teaching.  I found the use of mnemonic device helpful in my Direct Instruction lesson plan that I presented during my fieldwork required for my General Methods of Instruction class.  The lesson plan was on the topic of long division, and I helped my students remember that steps of long division with "Does McDonald's Sell Cheese Burgers", representing divide-multiply-subtract-check-bring down.

Here is a good guide to some mnemonic devices that are effective in the classroom.

Pirates Need Not Go On This Treasure Hunt

As part of our examination of the Information Processing model (IPM), we were given the task of working with a partner to create a professional development treasure hunt based on one of the various methods used in the IPM.  My partner and I developed our treasure hunt around Problem Based Learning.  The treasure hunt provides students with questions to answer, and internet links to explore to find answers to those questions.  Depending on the students age, the answers can be easily obtained from the internet links, or the students could be required to develop their own answers based on the information provided in the internet links.  Either way, the students must use critical thinking to decide on the information they think most appropriate for answering the questions.  And by using a treasure hunt in the classroom, you are integrating just another tool in reaching your different learners.

Here is the link to the treasure hunt we created.

Interacting in the Classroom

During the last few weeks, we have explored two other significant models of teaching-Information Processing and Social Interactive.  It is important to have an expansive repertoire of how to present information to your students.  This means you understand that no two students learn alike, and that you are flexible in your teaching.

While studying these two models of teaching, I discovered this terrific video on teaching math through collaboration and social interaction.  It made me think about how to involve students more in their learning, particularly in math.  

 

With so much focus on the integration of technology into everyday life, many children miss out on opportunities for face-to-face interactions.  By teaching them to interact socially within the classroom, we can give them practice in those critical social skills required for face-to-face interactions, and the knowledge of how to adapt those social skills to many other situations.