The Thousand Solutions Blog

How to Use Cognitive Learning Theory

May 16, 2023

in the 20th century, Swiss educator, Jean Piaget, worked at the Binet Institute where he was responsible for translating English questions on intelligence to French. While at the Binet Institute, Piaget became fascinated by the reasons why some children got logical questions incorrectly, while others answered correct.

At the time, behaviorism was the most popular theory to explain that; psychologists assessed children's ability to answer these questions from the way they interact with their surroundings.

In 1936, Piaget argued for a alternative theory. He suggested that the internal processes of a child's brain decide how they perform with logical questions. The assumptions of Piaget on intelligence were:

  • The brain development of children develops through stages, and their behaviors alter to reflect these mental developments.
  • The intelligence of children differs from that of adults' quality-wise (not in terms of quantity). This is because children view the world differently than adults.
  • Children aren't the only ones to communicate with their surroundings but they also record details about their world and how they respond to questions that involve logical thinking

Jean Piaget termed his line of thought "cognitive learning theory". Through the years, teachers all over the world have utilized methods of cognitive learning to help their pupils to be more effective learners.

Check it out to find out:

What is cognitive learning?

"Cognitive learning" originates from cognition which is the process of absorbing and retaining information using the senses, thinking and experiences. Cognitive learning, in itself is a method of learning that focuses on maximizing your brain's potential.

Remember your school days at high school. Was there a subject that was something you were drawn to? One you found easy to understand because it just clicked for you? Did you find a notion or subject that you found difficult to grasp no matter how hard you did?

Based on Piaget's cognitive-learning theory, the ability of you to understand and comprehend something depends on how your brain process information related to that topic. However, with the help of cognitive learning strategies that you can tackle topics that are 'naturally' difficult for you to grasp. The reason is that these methods allow you to easily make connections between new information as well as existing ideas. This enhances your ability to keep and retain knowledge.

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

  • Social Cognitive Theory: This is the idea that the things people see around them as well as the behavior they observe influence their behaviour and the speed at which their brains grow in terms of cognitive development. For example, a student's behavior may be affected when they observe their teachers and peers. That's why educators are encouraged to set the example.
  • Cognitive behavioral theory: This is the idea that how a person thinks, feels, and behaves are all connected, and it can impact their ability to learn. For example, if students believe that they're poor with Physics and they don't comprehend it, regardless of the way it's explained, they'll likely feel frustrated and angry in the course of a Physics course, this can result in lower performance.

The strategies for cognitive learning are designed at removing obstacles to learning by offering different (and more individualized) ways learners can learn. Understanding the concepts makes you a stronger (and faster) learner and will increase the likelihood of achieving success at anything you set your mind to.

What is the elements of Cognitive Learning?

For anyone who wants to learn something (or two), here are some crucial components of cognitive development that you must know about:

Comprehension

Memory

Cramming information in order to remember it is not a successful method to learn, and the cognitive techniques for learning hinder this. In the process of learning through cognitive processes, your aim is to gain an grasp of the subject in order that you are able to connect new ideas to previous information.

Application

The cognitive learning methods encourage you to think about the content of your lesson or course and think out how to apply it in real-world situations. Learning this way helps you build sophisticated critical thinking abilities as well as problem-solving abilities and leadership traits that you can use at school and in your job.

What's the difference between cognitivism and constructivism?

Jean Piaget's research in cognition was based on two distinct notions: cognitivism and constructivism. Both concepts are similar in the sense that both focus on the mental processes that are involved in learning, in contrast to observable behaviour that is only visible externally. But cognitivism and constructivism differ.

Through cognitivism, we are viewed as beings who can mentally analyze and evaluate new information without having to participate actively in it. Instead of being able to respond to stimuli externally and absorbing them via training, students can evaluate the data and then store it.

An excellent example of cognitive learning is through lectures. In lectures, all students have to do is sit down in their seats (or behind their computers) and pay attention to the teacher explaining certain notions. While note-taking can be beneficial, the learners can passively absorb the knowledge the teacher is passing across to them, without having notes.

Constructivism is, on the other hand, perpetuates the idea that people are able to process and interpret information based on the previous experience and knowledge. In other words, people actively make their own knowledge and their perception on reality. The constructivists think that for new knowledge to stick, learners have to actively take part in learning.

So instead of lectures the constructivist instructors prefer creating interactive group exercises and giving students problems to solve as well as experiments to run as well as real-world situations for them to use their skills in.

Cognitive learning examples

There are different kinds of cognitive training. Below are 10 of them.

Implicit Learning

Have you ever learned something new, but didn't really intend to? If so, you've had the experience of an implicit learning. When you learn implicitly typically, you're not conscious of the whole learning process until the moment you notice that you possess a new ability/knowledge that previously you did not possess.

Examples of things you can be taught are walking, talking and even typing fast even without having to glance at your keyboard.

Exaggerated learning

Explicit learning happens when you deliberately seek to learn. In contrast to implicit learning, explicit training requires you to be attentive and take the time to be proficient at the subject you're studying. Examples of learning that is explicit include taking an online course to master content marketing, or re-entering the college you attended to earn a new diploma.

Learning cooperatively or collaboratively

This form of learning is made up of four parts, such as:

  • Responsibility for each individual: Although people are working together in an organization, every person should have duties they are solely responsible for.
  • Multi-channel interaction: All members of the group should be able to engage in discussions on the subject they're studying and the ways in which they're applying their knowledge.
  • Positive interdependence Although each member of the group has each their own responsibility, they should also be able to seek assistance from each other in times of need.
  • Equal participation: In collaborative learning, every member of the group has equal rights. Nobody is more privileged or has a higher rank than others.

Discovery learning

When you continuously seek out the latest information through studies on the latest concepts, ideas, or subject matter, you're participating in learning through discovery. For example, if you're writing an essay that requires a tool such as Hemingway Editor to edit and proofread, you'll end up discovering more information about the editing software it self through exploration.

Meaningful learning

Meaningful learning happens in the context of relating the new knowledge to previous experiences. This often leads to abilities that are transferable and are applicable to other aspects of life, such as education and job. One example of learning that is meaningful can be when you are working in marketing and take a marketing strategy course to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Learning through emotion

Learning to manage emotions involves learning how to manage their emotions, be aware of the feelings of other people and enhance their ability to deal with emotions. No matter what you do for work, high emotional intelligence plays a crucial part in the way you display empathy, communicate with others as well as manage professionally and interpersonal relationships.

As an example, emotional training helps you to interact positively with people who are both extroverts or introverts in whatever setting that you're within. If you're in customer service, knowing how to manage your emotions and recognize the emotions of other customers helps you handle the interactions with customers.

Learning through experience

Experience, they say, is the best teacher. The lessons you learn through experience allow you to identify and inculcate useful life lessons you can learn by interacting with people. But, the information you gain from these interactions is contingent on how you interpret them.

That means two people may have the same experience, but learn distinct lessons from it. For example, if you work with your CEO as a shadow in the workplace, you could discover the value of leading through examples. However, someone else in your position may discover how to run a productive board meeting instead.

The value of your experience depends on how you analyze it and relate it to the present or past circumstances.

Learning through observation

Learning through observation involves mimicking people who possess the qualities and skills you wish to acquire. Although this kind of learning is commonly found among children (as they imitate adults) however, adults may utilize it in specific contexts. As an example, you could improve your leadership qualities by mimicking your boss in the office. It is also possible to become a more effective team player by mimicking the habits of great team players you collaborate with.

Learner receptive

If you are learning through lectures in which a professor is in center of the room and talks about a subject while you listen, then you're practicing receptive learning. Learning this way requires students to participate in the class by answering questions and writing down notes.

An example of receptive learning is when a school or workplace invites specialists to instruct your students or team in a class, hall, or workshop environment.

Non-associative learning

Learning that is not associative involves adapting to a new thing or situation by facing it repeatedly. The type of learning that is classified into two types of habituation and sensibilization.

Habituation means learning by habits. This means that your reaction to a stimulus (or situation) decreases over time the more you're exposed to the stimulus. For example, if you newly move into the vicinity of the station for trains, you may be disturbed by the sounds of trains moving on the other side for a while. As you get used to living there, the noise will not bother you so much as you'll be able to get used to the sound.

Sensitization is, however it means that the way you react to a stimulus (or circumstance) gets stronger with each exposure to it. For instance, if you newly take a job as a receptionist, you may notice immediately when your office phone rings. As you remain longer working in the job as a receptionist, your ears become more tuned to the ringing of the telephone.

Benefits from Cognitive Learning

If you want to test some cognitive-learning techniques, here are a few benefits you stand to gain:

Improved comprehension

Cognitive learning requires students to apply what they have learned into action. An approach that is hands-on to learning will help students gain a better understanding of the subject matter and how they implement it in actual situations.

Skills for problem solving

Cognitive learning gives people the necessary skills to solve difficult problems quickly and effectively. These skills are important for any position of leadership regardless of the context.

Learning habits that continue to improve

The process of cognitive learning encourages the enjoyment of learning and makes the process of acquiring new information enjoyable and stimulating. Instead of merely listening to new information it helps you apply your learning, and make connections between what you're learning and what you already know.

Increased confidence

As you develop a deeper comprehension of the new subject matter via cognitive learning You'll increase your skills and acquire more confidence to complete tasks.

Faster learning

While you learn new things through cognitive learning and other learning methods, you'll be able to identify some strategies that will benefit your needs. Once you've identified these methods and techniques, you'll be able learn things much faster and in the near future.

Cognitive Learning Strategies & How to Apply It in the Education Industry

Repetition/spaced learning

What is different is that the three learning sessions will be on the same subject matter, only in three different methods. The beginning learning time could consist of a video of a teacher explaining the topic. A second learning period could include a quiz that tests the students on their comprehension of the material in the first period. The final session could involve applying new knowledge in order to tackle a assignment.

Ten minutes of breaks between each learning period prevent an overabundance of information for learners. But, breaks do not require a lot of time and you could incorporate distraction tasks like remembering words or performing a physical activity in a way that doesn't relate to the topic that you're teaching.

Studies show that the concept of spaced learning is an extremely efficient learning method that results in excellent performance on tests and longer-lasting memory retention.

Reflection

Learning through reflection involves having students write down what they learned in the course, and what they didn't understand, and how they think the teacher can help them more effectively.

This learning process typically occurs at the conclusion of the class session it is possible to 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 falling short, so they'll have the opportunity to revisit challenging subjects. The students will also make use of that time to establish connections between new information and their prior knowledge.

Encourage your learners to email their reflection activities to you via email. It is crucial because they can show your

  • How are your students comprehending the topic
  • How effective is your method of teaching style(s) are
  • Which topic(s) you didn't explain clearly

Once you've this information, you'll be able to make changes to your class as well as help students achieve better results.

Graphic organizers

Graphic organizers are diagrams that show the relationships between concepts, facts as well as ideas. The most common examples of graphic organizers are pie charts, bar charts, flow charts, mind maps, and spider diagrams.

The organizers let learners to

  • Take a deep look at the subject
  • Visualize the process and procedures
  • Organize your ideas
  • Create connections between new information and what they've learnt previously

It is possible to use these tools to communicate information and assist students develop their thinking abilities. The ability to organize their thoughts into comprehensive models can assist students to develop a deeper comprehension of the subject.

Note-taking

Note-taking is one of the best methods for students to increase their listening abilities and comprehension of the subject as well as memory retention. So encourage your students to take notes of the most important aspects as they go through your course.

Not only do notes on the significance and use of concepts make them stick better, but note-takers are able to have a reference that they can refer to whenever they are unable to remember what.

Include cognitive learning strategies in your online course