As I read the information on the cognitive flexibility model, it does seem to have similar characteristic with case based learning and other learning models. Cognitive flexibility theory is also based on using real world cases as part of its model. Analyzing cases that have different perspectives and contexts, can help students engage their higher order thinking and reasoning skills. These skills do require that you already have some basic knowledge to call upon. With that in mind, I also think this model would be more effective in the upper grade levels. That is not to say, they would not work in the elementary grade levels. I feel it will be challenging and time consuming to build and teach base-skills in the cognitive flexibility model, in the elementary grade level.
I feel these models are quite complex in their design and thus would take lots of time to build correctly. I am not sure how proficient the average teacher would be at building online lessons for this model. It almost sounds like design teams would be needed to help ensure the model is adhered to correctly.
Overall, I think this model is good at helping students learn, based on real world situations that are presented using different perspectives and contexts. This model can help students to be more prepared to make critical and effective decisions in the real world.
Straight and to the point - Here we arrive back to the issue of time constraint. This model is definitely more complex than the others that we have discussed in this class. The idea of a design team is great - possibly the PLC in school could tackle this as a team.
ReplyDeleteI find that conversations among educators often come back to "how do we challenge our students in a way that promotes higher level thinking?" This model seems like a great way to foster deeper thinking and learning!
ReplyDeleteIf you've got the time and resources to create this model, it seems like a Win, Win for students and teachers!
(Julie Jones)