Module 2: Cognitivism as a Learning Theory

“In social settings, Bandura said, we learn a great deal through imitation, and imitation involves cognitive processes.  We acquire considerable information by just observing models, mentally coding what we see” Some researchers and social critics say computers and the digital world have changed the way we think and interact in both positive and negative ways.  

Cognitivitism is one theory of how students learn.  Jean Piaget “forged the single most comprehensive and compelling theory of intellectual development” (Crain, pg. 112).  He focused his lifetime work on the child’s understanding of science and mathematical concepts.  He believed that children move through different stages of development and also in the same sequence as another child. He also believed “real cognitive growth only occurs when children construct their own knowledge” (Crain, pg 139).  They have to experiment and figure things out on their own.  Teachers should not use worksheets and tests to accomplish this development.  Instead, teachers should provide experiences that children find interesting and meaningful that they will want to work on within their own time because they enjoy it. 

Piaget believed in a rigorous stage theory.  He believed there were five stages that children move through.  They “unfold in an invariant sequence, describe qualitatively different patterns, refer to general properties of thought, represent hierarchic integrations, and are culturally universal” (Crain, p. 136).  Student’s go through these stages naturally.  Helping the students to move through these by providing links between what they already know and what they are learning is very important for the teacher to accomplish within each student. 

Using technology to help the students move through these steps is important.  Each student can move through a scaffold lesson at their own pace.  Cognitive learning tells me that each student can accomplish things but might not be at the same time.  I would need to be patient and help the students through different stages of development.  I agree with Driscoll when he said “children are active, self-directing cognitive entrepreneurs who develop their minds through a great many spontaneously generated information-processing activities” (Driscoll, 2005, p. 211).

Bill Kapp, in his blog on http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/ , wrote “ We need to take pieces from each school of thought and apply it effectively because…Cognitivism doesn’t explain 100% how humans process information and neither does Constructivism or Behaviorism. What we need to is take the best from each philosophy and use it wisely to create solid educational experiences for our learners”.  I agree with this.  Not everyone learns the same way with the same educational theory.  We need to take parts of each theory that is right for each student.  Not every child can memorize items to help them in a concept at a later time and at the same time not every student has previous knowledge to rely on when learning a new concept.  It seems like we should use accumulated wisdom to create multiple learning pathways and environments to meet each learners unique abilities and providing creative challenges that motivate learners.

References:

Crain, William.  Theories of Development: concepts and applications.  5th Ed.  Upper

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.).Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. Saddle River:  Pearson, 2005.

Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/

Replied to:
http://pnesrsta.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/module-2-blog-learning-theory-use-in-education/comment-page-1/#comment-2

I enjoyed reading your post and I agree with blending different theories when teaching.  I did not realize it was so difficult to find math websites for students at the high school level.  I saw that Karen mentioned Pinterest in which I was surprised to find ideas on how to teach math there also.  I also found a site called teacherspayteachers.  It has many ideas that you can take and make your own.  I saw many ideas and projects with using Microsoft Excel that I was not aware of. One other site I often use is the NCTM site.  They have many resources for math teachers.  http://www.nctm.org/resources/high.aspx

http://kwagoner7105.blogspot.com/2013/06/module-2-response-to-bill-kerr-stephen.html?showComment=1372267523893#c1854459042795226479

Karen,
Your views and the way you use the different theories seem to be a lot like mine.  Since I teach 6th grade mathematics,and you are 7th grade, I wonder if this is how many math teachers teach.  I believe in blending different theories to find the best way for my students to learn.  I agree that all the theories have a certain place in education and that we have to understand our students to know when to use each one.