Kathleen Mihok

Reflection #2

MED 7708

Fall Block II

Choose a new strategy to help students interact with new knowledge. Use it in class and reflect on the success of the implementation. Did it work? How did the students react? Was engagement fostered?

I just read an article about a high school that was having difficulty meeting AYP. The school was in restructuring due to failing AYP for over 5 years. As a result of the restructuring, the school decided to adopt 4 major strategies(all fall within Best Practices): Cornell Note-Taking, Think-Alouds, Writing to Learn, and Dedicated Reading Time. These strategies were implemented school-wide over a one year period with the help of outside restructuring professional development instructors. As a result of the consistency between classrooms in the school, the school saw an increase in the reading comprehension and ability levels of their students, and eventually the school started meeting AYP. This article prompted me to choose Cornell Note-Taking as my strategy of choice. I just started implementation of this practice this week. I am hoping to see major gains over the school year. The notes I usually have my students take look a lot like this:

Example of Old Notes Format: / New Format
Chapter 7 Cell Structure
Introductions to Cells
• All life forms on our planet are made up of cells
• Cells are too small to see with the naked eye…how did we find them?
• Microscope observations of organisms led to the discovery of the basic characteristics common to all living things
Cell Theory
• All living things are made up of one or more cells
• Cells are the basic units of structure and functions in organisms
• All cells arise from existing cells.
Looking at Cells
• A cell’s shape reflects the cell’s function
• Cells range from 5 to 20 micrometers / Microscope
3 parts of Cell Theory
Cell shape and function / All life is made from cells
observations of organisms led to the discovery of the basic characteristics common to all living things
-all living things made of 1 or more cells
-cells are basic unit of structure and function
-all cells are made from existing cells
What a cell looks like (shape) is related to what it does (function)
Summary: Microscopes are used to see cells because they are very small. There are 3 parts to the cell theory: cells are made of 1+ cell(s), are the basic unit of structure and function, and are made from other cells. Cell shape and function are related.

I’ve only been using this for just over a week. In order for me to implement the use of this note taking strategy, I first showed students an example:

I then gave students a worksheet that showed how the notes were done and how the notes were formatted:

The students at first didn’t see any point in changing the format but when they realized there really wasn’t any extra “work” involved for them they said things like, “I guess.” Clearly, they weren’t as excited about the new note taking strategy as I was. After 2 sessions of note-taking a few students told me they liked the new strategy. They stated that the new note-taking method made it easier to understand and easier to find the answers to the review questions they complete. Anything that makes their “job” easier is a plus! The only part that they don’t like is the summarizing but I have seen an improvement in the grades on their summative assessment worksheets. So far, I have only implemented this in my Biology classes. However, beginning with the next unit I am going to start using the Cornell Note-Taking method with my Physical Science students as well. I’m hoping to help them increase their reading comprehension as a result of this new strategy. So yes, I’d have to say it is working! Engagement was definitely fostered once students realized that this strategy was meant to benefit them, the students, not the teacher.