Cognitivism

       Cognitivism is the theory that describes how information is processed to produce learning. It is the change in a learner’s mental behavior. Cognitive theory looks at how information travels from the sensory memory to the working memory to the long-term memory. This theory focuses on gaining and maintaining the learner’s attention. After the learner’s attention is gained, then rehearsal and visuals are used to move the information in the memories. Reinforcement is used primarily as feedback (Woolfolk, 2004). Two famous contributors to Cognitivism are Jean Piaget who is known for the theory that children progress through stages and J. Anderson who is know for the two types of memory procedural and declarative.

                In a Cognitive classroom learning takes place through using strategies to acquire facts, skills and concepts. In this type of classroom one may observe the teacher using props and various methods to gain the learner’s attention. Also, one may observe the use of visuals such as outline and graphic organizers to connect the information in the learner’s memory. In this classroom there may be evidence of grouping smaller pieces of information into larger groups of information. One will witness some repetition and review in the classroom. Also, one may witness mnemonics to remember formulas and facts. The teacher serves as a modeler of strategies in the Cognitive classroom. Finally one will witness the application of various learning strategies such as Review, Examine, Ask, DO, and Summarize.

                Learning from the Cognitive point of view involves mimicking the human thought process. The technology focuses on thinking like a person. This type of technology uses animations to keep the learner’s attention and use chunking to present the information. One type of cognitive technology is trouble shooting programs. Some examples of this type of software Buggy and Logo. Other types of cognitive software that encourages learning are Cognitive Tutor by Carnegie Learning, Challenging our Minds, and Plato.

SOURCE:
 abanksto.myweb.uga.edu/portfolio/bankston_learning.pdf