Cognitivism

The cognitivist theory is teacher centered theory of learning. The teacher controls what information is learned and how the information is presented. Although the teacher is in control, the student is an active participant in the learning process. The cognitivist theory allows the learner to apply what they have learned. In applying what they learned students are using higher levels of thinking. This is one reason why I feel that the the cognivitist approach to learning is superior to the behaviorist approach. The behaviorist theory merely calls for skill and drill practice. Skill and drill practice requires no higher order thinking and falls under the lowest category of Blooms Taxonomy. The cognivitist approach calls for the student to be actively engaged in the learning process. The students are not creating their own learning but they are using higher level thinking skills to practice and apply the information they just learned. Behaviorists view the learner as an observer, cognitivists view the learner as a participant.

Another central issue of cognitivism is how the brain organizes and processes the new information. Mental process such as thinking, knowing, memory and problem solving are crucial to the cognitivist theory of learning. In the readings and research I have done of the cognitivist theory of learning I came across this analogy: The mind is like a computer, information comes in, the information is processed, and that information leads to certain outcomes.

When reflecting about my own teaching I realize that I use the cognitivist approach on a daily basis. In fact, it would be the main learning theory that I follow. My students are active participants in the learning process but they are learning specific skills that I have selected. Since I teach five and six year olds very rarely are they able to construct their own knowledge. These young children need direction from a teacher. They need to be taught specific skills and then be allowed to participate in activities that reinforce those skills.

Graphic organizers are great materials that facilitate learning that fit into the cognitivist theory of learning. Graphic organizers allow students to comprehend complex issues. The teacher presents big chunks of information to the students. Using graphic organizers students are able to break down big pieces of information and remember it better. I use simple graphic organizers in my room with my students and they love them! We complete them together as a class and I guide the discussion. I prompt students to give me the specific information I am looking for and then that student types the information into the organizer.

I am glad to learn more about the cognivitist approach to learning since it is the theory that is used daily in my classroom.