In my course we have to teach concrete thinking when it comes to symbols and abstract thinking when it comes to their lab projects. From the symbols we give them, they have to put it into practice. Later on in the course they have to come up with a drawing with at least 14 different components and in theory it should work.
The concrete learning comes in when students are asked to learn a specific system, its components, and the way it is desighned to work. Through this understanding they have more success when it comes to diagnosing the system when it fails, being able to picture in thier brains how the components interalate with each other and how one components failure would affect anothers. When diagnosing they are simply testing thier imagined "fixes" and seeing if they were correct or not.
I think it's a mixture of both processes in the electrical classes that i teach. Information received from test equipment and workshop manuals is concrete. Using this information to diagnose a problem in the electrical system requires them to use abstract thinking.
Ricky,
You are using sequential learning steps which should really help the students to retain and apply the content.
Gary
With power and performance, student think the the Abstract about turbo's superchargers etc.
BUT all systems are very concrete!!
too many trees to see the mountains
Markia,
Good point and one instructors need to remember as they are sorting through the instructional process.
Gary
I always try to use both, we talk a lot about things that the students cannot see. Most is in theory but they can see the concrete effects of the changes. If the fuel system is running rich they can't see the PCM processes but they can see the fouled spark plugs as a result.
We use concrete from the beginning,because the student is learning something most are scare of at first or has little knowledge about. The Abstract thinking starts with more hands on and things start to make sense.Most important? If i had to chose (Abstract) However both are needed. Like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.Not good without the other.
Milton,
Very true concerning the need for both. A strong concrete foundation helps students to be able to transfer that knowledge to abstract settings and that leads to increased critical thinking.
Gary
Concrete thinging is needed first so that it can be applied to their abstract thinking.
Ranee,
Without the foundation of concrete thinking it is very hard to move to abstract thinking as you say. This is why students need to learn how to be critical thinkers.
Gary
Many students come to my class with out any knowledge of diesel engines so a lot of my efforts ues concret thinking, I pass around training aids so they can see, feel and explore the componet after this I will use absract thinking by discribing how the component fits into the overall picture.
Chuck,
Good way to impress upon them the need to have a solid foundation of concrete knowledge if they are going to be able to move to the next level.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Everything we do in life is a learning process,At the age of 72, I,M STILL LEARNING. Each day i learn something new from the students that i work with. Bill Lachman.
Concrete&Abstract Thinking is not only for one student,But for all students in a class. The instructor should try to get all the students thinking about the subject/subjects that they may be dealing with
Bill,
Love your attitude. Spoken like a true life long learner. I wish you much success as you continue sharing your knowledge and life experiences with your students.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
Bill,
Good point and something we need to help our students develop. Knowing how to take concrete concepts and make abstract applications is what critical thinking is all about. The more expertise at problem solving that one has the more value one has in the workplace.
Gary
Dr. Gary Meers
A person should have a good understanding of basic electronics before advancing to many other classes. Ohm's law can not be seen or touched only understood. It can be used to make physical or mechanical changes.
In teaching basic electrical theory, we use abstract thinking to help the students visualize what cannot be seen. I will also apply concrete thinking principles to help the students identify potential problems within electrical systems. once theory is absorbed, I'll use more of the concrete learning, as troubleshooting is very dependent on set rules and proper procedure.
David,
I like the way you have your strategy laid out. It is a building process for the students so they will be able to acquire both concrete and abstract expertise while in school. Both are needed as we know for career success later on.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
