Cisco CCNA 2 Instructor Manual page 215

B.4.6 PMI
Figure 1: PMI
Many of the best instructional strategies help students think about their thought processes, or
engage in metacognition. Other strategies encourage students to use knowledge in new and
innovative ways. There are many strategies that are currently implemented in classrooms.
This section will discuss three methods that are linked to easily-understood instruction, which
encourages higher student achievement.
The first method is called Plus, Minus, Interesting (PMI). This practice is metacognitive and
asks students to evaluate their thoughts about new information. After students have read,
heard, or interacted with new information, they create a T-chart. The left side of the chart
includes an area for items that might qualify as plus, minus, or interesting. Students respond to
the following questions in relation to specific content:
•
What do they consider to be a Plus?
•
What do they consider to be a Minus?
•
What do they consider to be an interesting process, comment or question?
Students record their thoughts on the right side of the chart as they apply the categories to the
new content. Students can work individually on PMI charts and then share their responses
with a partner or a larger group. Ideas and perspectives are shared until they reach common
conclusions. PMI is especially useful during lecture sessions since it provides students with an
opportunity and a method to digest new content.
Web Links
PMI: http://www.mindtools.com/pmi.html
Activating and Engaging Habits of Mind:
http://www.ascd.org/cms/objectlib/ascdframeset/index.cfm?publication=http://www.ascd.org/pu
blications/books/2000costa1/2000costatoc.html
214 - 238 CCNA 2: Routers and Routing Basics v3.1 Instructor Guide – Appendix B
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