Cognitive educational learning theory

Posted: October 6th, 2024

Cognitive Educational Learning Theory: An Overview

Cognitive educational learning theory is a branch of psychology that studies how people learn and process information. It is based on the assumption that learning is an active and constructive process, influenced by prior knowledge, motivation, goals, and strategies. Cognitive educational learning theory also examines how learners interact with their environment, such as teachers, peers, materials, and technology.

Some of the main concepts and principles of cognitive educational learning theory are:

– Schema: A schema is a mental representation of a concept, category, or phenomenon. Schemas help learners organize and interpret new information, as well as retrieve and apply existing knowledge. Schemas can be modified or updated through assimilation (adding new information to an existing schema) or accommodation (changing an existing schema to fit new information).

– Metacognition: Metacognition is the awareness and regulation of one’s own cognitive processes. Metacognition involves planning, monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting one’s learning strategies and behaviors. Metacognition can enhance learning outcomes by helping learners set goals, select appropriate methods, assess their progress, and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

– Self-regulated learning: Self-regulated learning is the ability to control and direct one’s own learning process. Self-regulated learners are proactive, autonomous, and strategic. They use metacognitive skills to plan, monitor, and evaluate their learning. They also use motivational and behavioral skills to manage their emotions, motivation, and actions.

– Cognitive load: Cognitive load is the amount of mental effort required to process information. Cognitive load can be influenced by the complexity, novelty, and relevance of the information, as well as the learner’s prior knowledge and skills. Cognitive load can be divided into three types: intrinsic (related to the inherent difficulty of the material), extraneous (related to the presentation or design of the material), and germane (related to the processing and integration of the material). Cognitive load theory suggests that learning is optimal when intrinsic and germane load are high, but extraneous load is low.

– Multimedia learning: Multimedia learning is the use of multiple modes of representation, such as text, images, audio, video, animation, etc., to convey information. Multimedia learning can enhance comprehension and retention by providing multiple sources of evidence, reducing cognitive load, and facilitating dual coding (the encoding of information in both verbal and visual forms).

Cognitive educational learning theory has many implications for teaching and learning. Some of the applications of cognitive educational learning theory are:

– Activating prior knowledge: Teachers can help learners activate their existing schemas by asking questions, providing examples, or using analogies. This can facilitate the integration of new information and reduce cognitive load.

– Providing feedback: Teachers can provide learners with timely, specific, and constructive feedback on their performance and progress. This can enhance metacognition, motivation, and self-regulation.

– Scaffolding: Teachers can provide learners with temporary support or guidance to help them complete a task or achieve a goal. Scaffolding can include modeling, prompting, questioning, explaining, or demonstrating. Scaffolding can help learners develop their skills and confidence gradually.

– Differentiating instruction: Teachers can tailor their instruction to meet the diverse needs and preferences of learners. Differentiation can involve adjusting the content, process, product, or environment of learning. Differentiation can accommodate learners’ varying levels of prior knowledge, skills, interests, goals, and learning styles.

– Using multimedia: Teachers can use multimedia to present information in multiple modes and formats. Multimedia can appeal to different senses and modalities of learning. Multimedia can also enhance attention, engagement, and memory.

Cognitive educational learning theory is a useful framework for understanding how people learn and how to facilitate their learning. By applying the concepts and principles of cognitive educational learning theory, teachers can design effective and engaging instruction that promotes deep and meaningful learning.

References:

Mayer RE (2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service | Write My Essay For Me Without Delay). Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. In R.E Mayer (Ed.), The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning (2nd ed., pp. 43-71). Cambridge University Press.

Ormrod JE (2016: 2024 – Do my homework – Help write my assignment online). Human Learning (7th ed.). Pearson Education.

Schunk DH & Zimmerman BJ (2014: 2024 – Essay Writing Service. Custom Essay Services Cheap). Motivation and Self-Regulated Learning: Theory,
Research,
and Applications. Routledge.

Sweller J (2010 – Essay Writing Service: Write My Essay by Top-Notch Writer). Cognitive Load Theory: Recent Theoretical Advances. In J.L Plass,
R Moreno,
& R Brünken (Eds.), Cognitive Load Theory (pp. 29-47). Cambridge University Press.

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