Cognitivist J. R.

What is Cognitive theory?

• Cognitive theory is a branch off of traditional psychological concepts of the way we think, decide, remember, etc.

• These are what psychologists see as the basis for our behavior.

• Cognitive theory came about as an objection to a behaviorism; behaviorists thought that learning was just a reaction and ignored the idea that thinking was involved.

Key Players in Cognitivist Theory

• Allan Paivio (1925 - )• Robert Gagne (1916-2002)• Howard Gardner (1943 - )• Benjamin Bloom (1913-1999)

Allan Paivio (1925 - )• Proposed that presenting information in

both visual and verbal form enhances recall and recognition

• Based on this proposal, he developed research that eventually resulted in a theory called “Dual Coding Theory”

• His research supports the theory that today’s visual learners learn in different ways depending on the medium.

• Dual Coding Theory assumes that people process information in two distinctly different ways: images and language.

• Dual Coding Theory identifies three subprocesses:

1. representational – verbal or nonverbal representations are directly influenced

2. referential – verbal system is activated by nonverbal communication, or vice versa

3. associative – both text base systems and graphic representations can trigger mental associations*** A given task may require any or all of the three kinds of processing and form the basis for the study of such things as learning a second language.***

Robert Gagne (1916 - 2002)• Robert Gagne was a psychologist and educator. He developed his learning theories based partially on

the behaviorist’s and information-processing point of view.• He is known for his contributions in the area of cognitive learning hierarchies, which involves the

development of skills based on a building block principle. He identified five major categories of learning: verbal information, intellectual skills, cognitive strategies, motor skills, and attitudes.

• Gagne began to develop some of his ideas for his comprehensive learning theory while in the air force; into this theory he incorporated characteristics of both behavior modification theory and performance education.

• He came up with three principles that he viewed as necessary for the foundation of learning; these principles stated, simply, that the teacher must provide instruction on the set of component tasks that build toward a final task, ensure that each task in mastered, and sequence the tasks so they can be built upon for a final task or ultimate goal. In other words “ a teacher must teach the alphabet before her students can read words, and words before sentences, single sentences before two or three sentences, and multiple paragraphs before stories.” This reflects his hierarchy of learning.

Howard Gardner (1943 - )• Many researchers believe that intelligence is key to understanding how students learn. Howard

Gardner developed what he called the theory of multiple intelligences. He researched on regular and gifted students at the University of Harvard, as well as adults with brain damage. In the subjects with brain damage, he wanted to link the part of the brain that had been injured and the effects of learning and other physical abilities from the physical injury.

• He found that individuals use eight different intelligences to perceive and view the world. Since his original studies he has found three more for a total of eleven intelligences. He believes that although all individuals have 11 intelligences, many have one, two, or even three that are most dominant.

• He concluded that teachers need to use a variety of methods when teaching to make sure that each child’s strong intelligences are met and used, because each student learns differently.

Benjamin Bloom (1913-1999)• He was an educational psychologist and focused his research on

students’ learning domains. He sought out to classify learning behaviors to better understand how knowledge is absorbed by children.

• Bloom classified learning behaviors into three categories: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. • Cognitive domain – a students’ intellectual level• Affective domain – a students’ emotions, interests, attitude, attention and

awareness• Psychomotor domain – a students’ motor skills and physical abilities

Benjamin Bloom (cont..)

• He studied these learning behaviors in hopes of creating a practical way of classifying curriculum goals and objectives. Many teachers today use these behaviors when creating curriculum in their own classrooms. Teachers often arrange their curriculum into levels that can be built upon using a scaffolding effect from simple to complex.

• Within the cognitive domain, Bloom identified six levels that can be used to gain knowledge about any one given topic. His levels have been referred to as “Blooms Taxonomy”.

Benjamin Bloom (cont..)• Bloom’s Taxonomy:

1. Knowledge – learner can recall information2. Comprehension – learner can explain and predict3. Application – learner can solve problems and use information4. Analysis – learner can see patterns, organize parts, and recognize hidden

meanings5. Synthesis – learner can use previous ideas to create new ones, and relate ideas

from several areas6. Evaluation – learner can compare and discriminate between ideas, judge, and

value ideas

Benjamin Bloom (cont..)

• Bloom believed and demonstrated through his research that all children can learn. His taxonomy levels have been linked to mastery learning.

• Mastery Learning – a model for learning in which students continue to gain information and knowledge, working through modules or teacher instruction, only after they have mastered the content of previous modules.

• All students can learn given the correct conditions for learning and sufficient time. The critical ingredient is changing teaching methods so each student can master the skill in their own way.

My Classroom

• I agree with all of the research that these four individuals have found to be substantial to the learning environment of children. Working in a classroom, and having previous experience with children that have special needs of all different types, you must create your curriculum based on their needs and learning styles. Not all children learn the same way and you must be prepared to explain it in different ways, languages, and styles so that all children have a chance to retain the same information.

Credits

• http://www.iupui.edu/~idd/understanding_learning_theory/ltm_index.htm

• http://cehdclass.gmu.edu/ndabbagh/Resources/IDKB/bloomstax.htm

• http://www.cobragroupfoundation.org/key-players