The Construction of Cognitive Maps

The Construction of Cognitive Maps
Author: Juval Portugali
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 365
Release: 2007-08-23
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0585334854

and processes which are exclusive to humans in their encoding, storing, decoding and retrieving spatial knowledge for various tasks. The authors present and discuss connectionist models of cognitive maps which are based on local representation, versus models which are based on distributed representation, as well as connectionist models concerning language and spatial relations. As is well known, Gibson's (1979) ecological approach suggests a view on cognition which is diametrically different from the classical main stream view: perception (and thus cognition) is direct, immediate and needs no internal information processing, and is thus essentially an external process of interaction between an organism and its external environment. The chapter by Harry Heft introduces J. J. Gibson's ecological approach and its implication to the construction of cognitive maps in general and to the issue of wayfinding in particular. According to Heft, main stream cognitive sciences are essentially Cartesian in nature and have not as yet internalized the implications of Darwin's theory of evolution. Gibson, in his ecological approach, has tried to do exactly this. The author introduces the basic terminology of the ecological approach and relates its various notions, in particular optic flow, nested hierarchy and affordances, to navigation and the way routes and places in the environment are learned.

Spatial Learning Strategies

Spatial Learning Strategies
Author: Charles D. Holley
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 351
Release: 2014-05-10
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1483260682

Spatial Learning Strategies: Techniques, Applications, and Related Issues reviews the state of the art in spatial learning strategies and suggests ways in which such strategies (for example, spatial and semantic-network representations) may be more powerfully instantiated in text design and technology applications. Some of the most promising work in the field of learning strategies is documented. Comprised of 15 chapters, this book begins with an introduction to some of the theoretical underpinnings of spatial learning strategies as well as selected theories of information processing. The next section contains reports on specific learner-oriented techniques that have been developed to improve the performances of students with respect to text processing. The discussion then turns to reports on specific techniques that have been developed and applied to other types of processing tasks (for example, test taking, problem solving) or to teacher-author communication, including text analysis and instructional strategies. The application of networking as a learning strategy to hearing-impaired students is also considered, along with schematizing, mapping, and concept structuring. The book concludes by assessing the implications of spatial strategies for education and applied research. This monograph will be of interest to behaviorists, cognitive and educational psychologists, teachers, school administrators, and policymakers.

Designing Usable Texts

Designing Usable Texts
Author: Thomas M. Duffy
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 440
Release: 2014-06-28
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1483217663

Designing Usable Texts covers the analysis of textual communication processes in the real world of publishing systems and work sites. The book presents topics on designing and understanding of written texts; authoring, editing, and the production process; and training authors of informative documents. The text also describes the policies and processes of editing; lessons in text design from an instructional design perspective; and graphics and design alternatives such as studying strategies and their implications for textbook design. The identification of information requirements such as understanding readers and their uses of texts, modeling users and their use of technical manuals, is also considered. Psychologists and people involved in communication design, document design, information mapping, and educational technology will find the book invaluable.

Memory Improved

Memory Improved
Author: Bonnie J.F. Meyer
Publisher: Psychology Press
Total Pages: 269
Release: 2014-02-24
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1317785789

This unique text presents a systematic study of a proven method for increasing the memory and reading comprehension of older adults by using a program based on discourse processing. The program facilitates the encoding and retrieval of information through a reading strategy plan utilizing top-level structures in the text. The authors of this volume provide student and teacher training manuals for the program as well as a review of the literature, data tables and graphs; an extensive bibliography; and five 1 1/2 hour sessions to improve memory and reading comprehension.

There's Room for Me Here

There's Room for Me Here
Author: Janet Allen
Publisher: Stenhouse Publishers
Total Pages: 256
Release: 1998
Genre: Language arts (Middle school)
ISBN: 1571100423

What do you do with students who cannot or will not read and write? This portrait of Kyle Gonzalez's classroom offers teachers theory-based strategies for helping students become motivated and successful readers and writers. You will see how one middle school teacher sets up her literacy classroom, offers intervention and support for struggling students, and assesses their progress. Rich in description of Kyle's successes, the book also looks honestly at why some practices were ineffective in her setting. With Janet's and Kyle's practical and detailed suggestions for creating a literate environment, you'll learn how to:establish a literacy workshop;choose and use effective resources;implement effective, informative record-keeping;help students establish goals and assess progress;use read-alouds as well as shared, guided, and independent reading and writing;instill reading and writing practices that help students read content-specific texts. There's Room for Me Here includes record-keeping forms, extensive bibliographies of literature and professional materials, resource information, and samples of strategy lessons all embedded in this engaging story of a teacher's first three years building a literacy workshop in her classroom. Kyle's students are middle school learners who struggle with literacy. The strategies, content-area connections, and management ideas, however, are applicable and appropriate for use by any 3-12 teacher.