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What can you do to use cognitive learning Theory

May 16, 2023

The 1920s were the time when Swiss educator, Jean Piaget, worked at the Binet Institute where he was responsible for translating English intelligence-related questions into French. During his time at Binet Institute, Piaget became fascinated by the reasons why some children got logical questions wrong and other children got correct.

At the time, behaviorism was the most popular theory to explain that; psychologists assessed the capacity of children to respond to these types of questions based on the interactions they had with their surroundings.

In 1936, Piaget argued for a different theory -- he posited that the internal workings of the brain of children determine what they do when it comes to logic questions. The assumptions of Piaget on intelligence were:

  • The brain development of children develops through stages, and their behaviors shift to reflect these cognitive developments.
  • The intelligence of children differs from that of adults' quality-wise (not in terms of quantity). The reason for this is that children perceive the world differently than adults.
  • The children don't only engage with the world around them but they also record information about the world mentally, and this influences how they tackle questions that involve logical thinking

Jean Piaget termed his line of thought "cognitive learning theory". Through the years, teachers worldwide have used techniques for cognitive learning that have helped their students to be better learners.

Find out:

What is Cognitive Learning?

"Cognitive learning" is derived from cognition, which refers to the mental process of absorbing and retaining knowledge through the senses, thoughts, and experience. Learning through cognitive processes, as a whole is a method of learning that focuses on maximising the brain's capabilities.

Think back to your time at high school. Was there a subject that was something you were drawn to? It was one that you were able to understand because it just seemed to click for you? What about a particular concept or subject that you found hard to comprehend regardless of how hard you tried?

According to Piaget's cognitive learning theory, the ability of you to comprehend and comprehend something depends on how your brain process information related to that topic. However, with the help of techniques for cognitive learning will allow you to tackle topics that are 'naturally difficult to comprehend. The reason is that these methods make it easier to make connections between new information and pre-existing ideas, which improves your ability to retain and remember knowledge.

In the present, cognitive learning theory has been broken into two categories:

  • Social cognitive theory: This is the idea that the objects that people observe around them and the behaviors they observe impact how their behavior and the rate at which their brains develop in terms of cognitive development. For example, a student's behavior can be affected when they look at their teachers or other students. That's why educators are encouraged to lead by example.
  • Cognitive behavior theory: This is the idea that how a person thinks, feels, and behaves are all interconnected, and could influence their capacity to learn. If, for instance, students believe that they're poor at Physics and believes they'll never grasp the concept regardless of how they explain it, they'll likely feel frustrated and angry in a Physics lesson -- which leads to lower results.

The strategies for cognitive learning are designed to break down barriers in learning, and provide alternative (and more personalized) strategies for students to master. Learning the fundamentals makes you a stronger (and more efficient) learner, and increase your chance of success in everything you commit your brain to.

What are the components of cognitive Learning?

As an individual seeking to improve a skill (or two) Here are a few crucial components of cognitive development that you must know about:

Comprehension

Memory

The practice of rushing information to remember it is not a successful method to learn, and the cognitive learning practices discourage the process. With cognitive learning, your aim is to gain a thorough knowledge of the subject so you can connect the concepts that are new to you with previous knowledge.

Application

The cognitive learning methods help you think about the content of your lesson or course and think ways of applying the material to actual situations. Learning this way helps you build advanced thinking and critical thinking skills in problem-solving, as well as the traits of leadership you could use at school and in your job.

What is the difference between cognitivism and constructivism?

Jean Piaget's research in cognitive development comprised two distinct notions that were cognitivism and constructivism. The two concepts are related in that they both are focused on the processes of mind that are involved in learning, in contrast to only externally observable behavior. Yet, constructivism and cognitivism differ.

In cognitivism, individuals are viewed as beings who can mentally analyze and evaluate the new information, without needing to actively participate in it. Instead of reacting to stimuli from outside and then absorbing the information through training, students can analyze the information and save the information.

A great example of cognitivist learning is lectures. In lectures, all students must do is sit down in their seats (or at their desks) and watch teachers explain notions. While note-taking can be beneficial, the learners can passively take in the information that the instructor communicates to them without taking notes.

Constructivism On the other hand, reinforces the belief that individuals are able to process and interpret data based on their the previous experience and knowledge. This means that people are actively creating their own understanding and their perception on reality. According to the constructivists, in order for knowledge to stay with us the learner must actively engage in the process of learning.

So instead of lectures instructors who are constructivist are more in favor of creating interactive group exercises and giving students problems to solve and experiments to carry out, and real-life situations to make use of their learning.

Cognitive learning examples

There are many kinds of cognitive learning. Below are ten of them.

Implicit Learning

Did you learn something new without actually meaning to? If so, you've been through an implicit learning. With implicit learning, you're usually not conscious of the whole learning process until the moment you notice that you possess the ability or know-how you didn't have before.

Examples of things you can learn implicitly include talking, walking or even typing quickly even without having to glance at your keyboard.

Learning explicit

Learners who are explicit actively seek out knowledge. In contrast to implicit learning, explicit learning requires you to continually pay attention and put in the effort to become skilled in the subject you're studying. Examples of learning that is explicit include enrolling in an online course for learning about content marketing or re-entering school to obtain a fresh diploma.

Learning cooperatively or collaboratively

This kind of education comprises four components, including:

  • Responsibility for each individual: Although people collaborate in a group, each person must have responsibilities they are personally responsible for.
  • Multi-channel interaction: All members of the group must be able to engage in discussions on the subject they're studying and the ways in which they're applying their learning.
  • Positive interdependence While each person within the group must have the responsibility for their individual but they must also be able of obtaining help from others when they need it.
  • The equal participation in the collaborative learning environment, all members of the group is equal. There is no one who has more power or ranks above other members.

Discovery learning

If you are constantly seeking for new information by conducting research on new concepts, ideas, or subjects, you're engaged in discovery learning. As an example, if you write an article that requires an application like Hemingway Editor to edit and proofread, you'll end up understanding more about the editing software it self through exploration.

Learner-centered

The process of learning that makes sense is when a person can relate recent experiences to their previous ones. It is often the case that this leads to the transfer of skills which can be used in different areas of life, including school and work. One example of learning that is meaningful is when you're working in the field of marketing, and you enroll in an online course on marketing strategies to increase your knowledge of the topic.

Learning through emotion

Learning to manage emotions involves learning how to control their emotions, understand other people's emotions and enhance their ability to deal with emotions. In whatever you do at work, a high level of emotional intelligence is a key role in how you exhibit empathy, communicate with others, and handle interpersonal and professional relationships.

As an example, emotional training will help you communicate effectively with both introverts and extroverts whatever situation that you're involved in. If you're in customer service, knowing how to deal with your emotions as well as understand other people's feelings will help you navigate the interactions with customers.

Learning through experience

The word "experience" is used to describe the fact that experience is the greatest teacher. Experience allows you to identify and inculcate valuable life lessons by interacting with people. What you can learn through those interactions depends on your interpretation of them.

It means that two individuals could have the exact same experience, but learn various learnings from it. As an example, if you shadow your CEO in the workplace, you could discover the value of leading by the example of your boss. However, someone who is not in your job position could learn how to hold a productive board meeting instead.

The value you get from your experience depends on how you analyze the event and connect it with present/past situations.

Learning by observation

Observational learning involves imitating people who have skills and traits you wish to acquire. This type of learning typically occurs among children (as they imitate adults), adults can utilize it in specific settings. You can, for instance, enhance your leadership skills by mimicking your boss in the workplace. Also, you can learn how to become a stronger team player by observing the behaviors of top teammates you work with.

Learning that is receptive

If you learn in lectures, where the teacher is in front of the class and discusses a topic as you listen, then you're practicing receptive learning. Learning this way requires you to actively participate by making inquiries and recording notes.

A good example of learning through receptive is when your school or job invites experts to teach your class or team in a classroom hall, workshop, or classroom setting.

Non-associative learning

Non-associative learning involves adapting to an unfamiliar situation or thing by facing it repeatedly. The type of learning that is separated into two groups that are habituation and sensitization.

It's the process of learning that you do by the habit of doing something. That means your response to an object (or circumstance) decreases over time the more you're exposed to it. For example, if you're moving into a house near an railway station, you could be irritated by the sound of trains whizzing by at first. However, as you stay there, it won't bother you as much as you'll be able to get used to the sound.

Sensitization, on the other hand, means that your reaction to a stimulus (or circumstance) increases with repeated exposure to it. As an example, if you newly take a job as a receptionist, then you might be aware immediately that your office phone is ringing. But as you stay longer working in the job as a receptionist, your ears become more tuned to the sounds of the telephone.

Benefits of Cognitive Learning

If you'd like to explore cognitive learning techniques, here are a few benefits to consider:

Improved comprehension

Learning through cognitive processes requires that students apply what they have learned into action. An approach that is hands-on to learning can improve a student's understanding of the subject matter and the way they can use it in their daily lives.

Improved problem-solving abilities

Cognitive learning gives people the abilities needed to solve difficult problems efficiently and quickly. These skills are important in any leadership position, regardless of the setting.

Continuous learning habits

The process of cognitive learning encourages the enjoyment of learning, by making the process of acquiring new information exciting and exhilarating. Instead of listening in silence to new information it lets you use your knowledge and link what you're learning and what you already have learned.

Increased confidence

When you get a better understanding of new topics by using cognitive training You'll increase your capabilities and gain more confidence to complete the tasks.

Faster learning

As you gain new knowledge via cognitive learning and other learning methods, you'll be able to identify some techniques that are great for you. When you've figured out these techniques and techniques, you'll be able master new skills much more quickly and in the near future.

Cognitive Learning Strategies and Strategies to Implement It to the Education Industry

Spaced learning/repetition

What is different is that the three learning sessions will be on the same subject matter, only with three distinct methods. The beginning learning time could consist of the video of a professor discussing the subject. The second can include a quiz that tests the students on their comprehension of the material in the first period. The final session could require applying the new information to solve a problem or task.

Ten minutes of breaks between each learning period prevent an overload of information for learners. However, these breaks don't have to be a time for idleness; you can incorporate distractor tasks like remembering words or doing a physical exercise in a way that doesn't relate to the content you're teaching.

Studies show it is the concept of spaced learning is an extremely effective method of learning which results in excellent performance in tests as well as long-term memory retention.

Reflection

In learning, reflection is when students record what they learned in the lesson, their lack of understanding as well as how they believe the teacher can help them to understand the lesson better.

Although this method of learning typically occurs at the conclusion of a classroom session, you can add a reflection exercise in the final session of every section you cover in your online course. They'll help your students know where they're excelling and where they're failing, which means they can revisit the difficult topics. Students will also use that time to form links between the new knowledge as well as their previous information.

Instruct your students to send your reflections to you by an email. It is crucial because they demonstrate to that they are:

  • How are your students getting the concept
  • What is the effectiveness of your method of teaching style(s) can be?
  • Which topic(s) you didn't explain satisfactorily

When you have this information, you'll be able to update your course accordingly and assist your students to achieve higher grades.

Graphic organizers

Graphic organizers are visual diagrams that show the relationships between ideas, information and concepts. Examples of graphic organizers are bar charts, pie diagrams, flow charts mind maps and spider diagrams.

The organizers let pupils to

  • Consider a topic
  • Visualize the process and procedures
  • Make sure they organize your thoughts
  • Connect new information and things they've learned before

Use these mental tools in your course for presenting information and helping students improve their thinking skills. Making their thoughts more coherent structures can help students develop an understanding of the topic.

Note-taking

Note-taking can be one of the most effective ways for students to improve their active listening capabilities and comprehension of the subject as well as memory retention. Encourage your students to take notes of important points while they progress through your course.

Not only do notes on the significance and use of ideas make them more readable, but note-takers have a source that they can refer to anytime if they do not remember something.

Incorporate cognitive learning strategies into your online course