Multiple Representations

Multiple Representations helps the teacher and the learner view a topic in a variety of ways so as to hit every learner. While some learners comprehend new information one way, other learners understand in other ways. Trying to hit the same information in different interconnected ways is beneficial to the learner.

In my classroom for example, I teach mitosis, the division of somatic cells. If I can teach and reteach this information using tools that are hitting a variety of learners, I will have more retention.

Here are a few of the ways in which I teach mitosis;

1:) Use a 2D diagram model of a cell going through the phases of mitosis. Have arrows showing direction of path and label parts of the cell integral to the process.

2:) Use pipe cleaners, string, and a student desk top to visualize the phases of mitosis and have a hands on experience of mitosis.

3:) Use microscopes to distinguish cells in different phases of mitosis. Using problem solving techniques students can then discover which phase of mitosis takes the longest and which takes the shortest.

4:) Watch, through digital technology, a sped up version of a cell going through mitosis.

There are many other strategies that could be used, but I just named a few.

 

Using multiple representations enables diverse learners to find a representation that resonates with their ideas. Multiple representations also allow students to identify connections that are salient in one representation but not in another. Multiple representations become even more powerful when they are dynamically linked to each other and synchronized, so that changes in one representation cause appropriate changes in the other. In this manner, students can better understand connections between the various types of representations of a phenomenon and integrate ideas that each of these representations provokes and thus, these multiple representations can serve as pivotal cases. (Kali&Linn, in press)