Nonlinguistic+Representation

Read and Reflect
How do you currently apply this strategy with or without technology?

In the article, it referenced how nonlinguistic representation provides students a model of their thinking. Then, explaining their model allows students to put their thinking into words. The key is that it personalizes learning and encourages deeper thinking and understanding. I often used thinking maps, concepts maps, and idea webs in the classroom. I particularly liked how this promoted making connections between learning. I also used a vocabulary strategy that included students making a visual representation. Students understanding and memory of vocabulary increased.

With adult learners, I often combine cooperative learning and nonlinguistic representation to process a common article read by the group. It always amazes me the variety and depth of graphics and mapping used to depict the learning. That in turn expands my own understanding and learning.

Notetaking often relies primarily on words, but adding symbols, graphs, and sketches makes it more meaningful to students.

Kinesthetic learning was used the least when I taught. I did use music and dramatization, but not dance or stimulations. Kidspiration and Geometry Sketchpad are two technology applications used now in the district that enhance nonlinguistc representation. In addition, data projectors were added to every classroom this school year. The district also subscribed to Discovery Education and I see many more teachers adding visuals to their teaching.

Apply and Reflect
Provide evidence of the tool that you learned.

PhotoPeach has numerous classroom applications. Similar to the Lumbering in Michigan, it can be used for chronicling events in social studies, as well as for biographies of famous people. In science, students could illustrate and explain the steps in a science experiment. In language arts, it could be used as students write an autobiography, sequence events, and summarize a text. I especially like how PhotoPeach combines the visual representation with the writing. It would be helpful to know other sites that have a compilation of photos on certain subjects. Teachers could provide folders with a selection of photos to avoid the time involved in searching and the risk of inappropriate photos. Students also can take photos or draw illustrations to use in the presentation. media type="custom" key="8673342"