Monday, October 10, 2016

Symbol Systems



Symbol Systems

By Monica Deras



What are Symbol Systems?






          Symbol systems are the means (pictures, numbers, written words, graphs, gestures, etc.) used in media to construct meaning in learning. To put it simply, symbol systems are the “languages” used in media to transmit a message.  Gavriel Salomon formulated the instructional model in the seventies. He is known for his research on cognition and instruction. He developed this theory when researching the cognitive effects that media and symbols have in human learning. “Salomon argues that schema play a major role in determining how messages are perceived—in terms of creating an anticipatory bias that influences what information is selected and how it is interpreted” (Molnar, 2016).



          The symbol system instructional model is part of the behaviorist learning theory created by B. F. Skinner. Behaviorism is predominant in today’s educational learning technology through different types of media that stimulate the student’s response and associations made, as well as reinforce knowledge through symbols, pictures, videos, movies, etc. According to Harasim (2012), “Under behaviorism, the definition of learning was reduced and simplified to simple conditioning: the stimulus and the response” (p. 31). In the classroom, when signs, symbols, and videos are used, the visuals are providing broader learning techniques and a faster way to get student’s attention quickly engaged.






          Rebus readers are a good example of the instructional model symbol systems. Rebus readers build confidence, self-esteem, and introduce students to words they might not otherwise encounter. Rebus readers stimulate the student’s mind as they read through the use of pictures and increase content knowledge, as well as support the subjects you are teaching. These types of books help student’s know that print carries concept. Through this mode, where pictures of objects resemble the words kids can decipher the central message of the story, which is the response and goal we want to achieve.

  

 

Other examples of symbol systems that are introducing new concepts and reinforcing already learned concepts and at the same time stimulating the mind and getting a response from kids are the following shows:







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REFERENCES



Harasim, L. (2012). Learning Theory and Online Technologies. New York, NY: Routledge.



Molnar, S. 2016. Symbol Systems. Retrieved October 9, 2016 from: http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/symbol-systems.html



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