2. Cognitive Theorists
Lewin- developed field theory, which posited that
learning is the result of changes in: cognitive structure,
one’s sense of belonging and gain in muscle control.
Gagne-developed information processing theory which
identified 8 levels of intellectual skills including: Signal,
stimulus-response, chaining, verbal association, multiple
discrimination, concept formation, principle formation
and problem solving.
Bloom-described the domains of learning. He identified
three: cognitive/intellectual, affective attitudes, values,
psychomotor i.e. motor skills.
Anderson- developed a schema of learning. This new
theory attempted to describe learning as the storing of
information by the human mind in structures of ideas
and meanings.
3. Introduction to Cognitivism I
Cognitivism is a theory which attempts to answer how and
why people learn by attributing the process to cognitive
activity.
This theory followed the behaviorist school of thought. The
cognitivists’ quarrel with the behaviorists was that their
focus on observable behavior did not account for what was
going on in the mind.
4. Introduction to Cognitivism II
-Cognitivism was an attempt to explain what was occurring in
the mind during learning, a subject virtually ignored by the
previous theories that focused on actions and behaviors of the
learner. Actions were deemed valid proof that learning had
occurred.
5. Classroom Implications I
What does a teacher do under this theory?
-Teachers in a cognitivist classroom realize that not only are they
teaching students material, but they are teaching them to
comprehend it and expound upon it on their own.
-A key part of cognitive learning is Problem Based Learning
(PBL) Small groups can work together to solve real problems.
This method is much more open-ended than anchored
instruction.
- There is also a process called inquiry and discovery
learningduring which students form their own questions and go
through the process of learning the answer on their own by using
many resources and strategies
6. Classroom Implications II
How to incorporate technology into your cognitive
teaching:
-When teaching in a way that stimulates the minds of students it
is important to use “attention getters” or things the students
might find inspiring.
-Many times items such as movie clips form popular secular
movies or YouTube can assist in proving a point. Keep your eyes
open for these.
-Using white boards or other SMART technology has proven
incredibly effective for clearly presenting material to students
and allowing them to understand and think on their own.
7. Classroom Implications III
What students do students do under this theory?
-During Cognitive and collaborative learning students work
together in groups and use each other as resources. Placing
students at computer stations or interactive white boards would
allow them to use technology and idea webbing as a way to
express their own ideas and bring the ideas of the group together
in an organized fashion.
-Using technology would also help them better recognize that
there are multiple intelligences. Students learn through a variety
of ways, and not everyone learns and thinks the same way.
-Cognitive learning is all about thinking and what goes on in the
mind of a student. Allowing them to be creative with each other
and with technology will not only help you learn how they learn
but help them learn how to teach themselves more efficiently.
8. My Own Teaching
I have always been a huge supporter of individual
thinking and learning. I am also a huge supporter of
technology. Individual thinking and reaction is what the
cognitive theory is all about. I believe that through
technology material can be made more relevant to
students. Incorporating video clips, websites or
informative blogs into my cirriculum would be incredible
helpful for my students and encourage them to get out
there and think for themselves and decide what they
believe and who they want to become with their own
mind. There are so many resources to use, teachers just
need to dive in and get up to date with their technology
and theories!
