My Reflection Essay 9/10/2023

    In Dr Lina's recent lecture on 9/10/2023, we were taught different theories like Maslow's hierarchy, Bloom's taxonomy, second language acquisition theory and more. Eventually, I got to learn about how information was processed in the mind; it was through the mediation of metacognition and cognition. The process consisted on information being delivered and taught to students in the most conducive way to maximise learning from macro to micro (Guo, 2023).

    According to Dr Lina's research on Teachers’ mediation in students’ development of cognition and metacognition, I learnt that a teacher's mediation is needed within the students' learning system before they are able to spread their own wings to gain knowledge and be independant learners (Guo, 2020). Within my years in high school and primary school, I did not agree with the 'I talk, you memorise' methodology conducted by my teachers as I felt that I was not truly learning the information needed to increase my knowledge often left me feeling disconnected from the material.This lecture affirmed the importance of interactive and engaging teaching methods.The lecture left me feeling more enlightened about the intricate processes involved in teaching and learning. It made me realize the significance of effective information delivery and how it impacts a student's understanding and retention of knowledge.

    After the class went through the slides, we were placed into randomised groups for a presentation where we had to create a lesson using the dialogic patterns found in the process of metacognition facilitation between teachers and students (as shown below).

    I was not particularly fond of being put into a randomised group as I had been comfortable with my own group of friends. However, I found that working together with my group mates: Yilia, Cassie, Sharnon, Aimi and Johannah was more enjoyable than I had expected. We chose to teach 'Colours' (morphology) using the cloze Test to a theoretical 7-8 year old classroom. The cloze Test is essentially a comprehension assessment where participants fill in missing words or phrases in a text (Taylor, 1953). It measures the ability to understand written content by inferring missing information. Widely used in language learning and reading comprehension assessment, cloze tests help evaluate language proficiency and reading skills. 

    My group chose to use cloze test because the method can easily assess the vocabulary and critical thinking skills of children. Our group decided to introduce more colours via a rainbow song on Youtube. I think the class enjoyed the song. Other groups chose to teach grammar, vocabulary and more. 

Our presentation slides :)

 Our class singing the rainbow song 

 Pictionary for group activity :)

 Phonetics from another group :)

   Dr. Lina's lecture and the focus on teachers' mediation in student development are in line with Lev Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD is the range of tasks a learner can perform with guidance but cannot yet do independently. Effective instruction occurs within the ZPD, where students are supported to advance their learning (Vygotskiĭ et al., 1978).

    Dr. Lina's emphasis on the interplay between metacognition and cognition aligns with constructivist learning theories. Constructivism posits that learners actively construct knowledge through interactions with their environment and by building upon their existing knowledge. Metacognition, or thinking about one's thinking, is integral to this process as it involves the learner's awareness and control over their cognitive processes (Aiken, 1977).

Signing off,

Capybarabara

(9/10/2023)

References

Aiken, L. (1977). Book reviews : Lauren B. Resnick (ed.) the nature of intelligence. Hillsdale, N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1976. pp. X + 364. $17.95. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 37(1), 276–278. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447703700141 

Guo, L. (2020). Teachers’ mediation in students’ development of Cognition and Metacognition. Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education, 50(5). https://doi.org/10.1080/1359866x.2020.1846158 

Guo, L. (2023). A thinking tool for teaching and learning. Teaching and Learning Strategies  Week 2 (  EDUC2040
). 

Taylor, W. L. (1953). “Cloze procedure”: A new tool for measuring readability. Journalism Quarterly, 30(4), 415–433. https://doi.org/10.1177/107769905303000401 

Vygotskiĭ, L. S., Vygotsky, L. S., & Cole, M. (1978). Mind in society: The development of Higher Psychological Processes. Harvard University Press. 2023,