Cognitive Theory

Implementing cognitive learning strategies gives students the ability to understand new material by activating sensory information processing. Dr. Orey (Laureate Education, Inc. 2010) discussed networks of information for long-term memory by three types: declarative, procedural, and episodic. Instructional strategies that correlate with the principles of cognitive learning that embed technology are cues, questions, and advanced organizers”, along with summarizing and note taking”. Each of these two strategies create ways to access memory through sensory input connections. Dr. Orey (Laureate Education, Inc. 2010) talked about elaboration as the “primary mechanism for storing information in long term memory and builds numeral connections.” Both strategies focus on the basis of cognitive learning theory.

Cues, questions, and advanced organizers all focus on enhancing students’ ability to recall, implement and organize information (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). These tools provide students with a clearer sense of what they are to learn by defining goals and objectives. Through questions we can focus on the most important aspects and create high-level thinking as students’ access prior knowledge to answer questions. Technologies such as word processing, clip art, Inspirations, multimedia, rubrics, and spreadsheets are good uses of this strategy to help students learn. Also helpful are website resources http://video.google.com, http://www.inspirtion.com/, and http://teach-nology.com/web_tools/rubrics/.

Summarizing and note taking enhance students’ ability to synthesize information and transform information into new form (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). This tool develops learning by determining what information is the most important to learn and deletes less important information. Summarizing gives structure to lessons and guides students to minimize confusion. Note taking allows students to review information to make it more meaningful. Instructional strategies include word processing, spreadsheets, wikis, blogs and power point. Helpful websites resources: http://docs.google.com, http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic24c.htm and http://leesummit.k12.mo.us/CITW.htm

Both techniques help strengthen students’ ability to connect information and increase memory. They provide students with meaningful ways to present information and give clear learning goals. Also, they motivate and give learners an authentic learning experience. Cognitive learning theories develop students’ long-term memory and engage students with high-level thinking.

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program five. Cognitive learning theory [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD