COGNITIVISMor ‘our learning style is equivalent to our age’

M.C. Rafael Alberto Velasco ArgenteFALL 2011

DefinitionCognitivism is a theory who follows and

completes Behaviorism.

It is based on the idea that not only the experience is necessary for learning, but the mental processes are a primary concern, too.

There are 4 foundations for Cognitivism:

◦ Gestalt’s Theory ◦ Broadbents’information processing model◦ Artifitial Intelligence by Newell and Simon◦ Linguistics by Noam Chomsky

FoundationGestalt’s:

◦ Learning is regular and constant by means of trial-error.

Broadbents’: ◦ Three main stages in which the information is operated

on: sensory memory, short-term memory (temporary working memory), and long-term memory

Foundation

•Artifitial Intelligence

Foundation Linguistics

Foundation Piagets’

◦Assimilation◦Accomodation◦Equilibration

Stages of Skill Acquisition (ACT-R Model)◦Cognitive◦Associative◦Autonomous

Foundation--Schemas Characteristics of schema

Rumelhart and Norman (1983) list five characteristics of schema:◦ Schema represents knowledge of all kinds from simple to complex.◦ Schema can be linked together into related systems.◦ A schema has slots which may be filled with fixed, compulsory values

or with variable, optional values.◦ Schema incorporates all the different kinds of knowledge we have

accumulated, including both generalizations derived from our personal experience and facts we have been taught.

◦ Various schemata at different levels may be activity engaged in reorganizing and interpreting new inputs.

Winn and Snyder (1996) also described the characteristics of a schema as follows:◦ Schema as Memory Structure◦ Schema as Abstraction◦ Schema as Network◦ Schema as Context

Structure of the theory

ObjectivesGoal:

◦The main goal of Cognitivism, is to create an individual who learns through mental mechanisms who ables him to recreate and adapt their behaviour in different situations.

Purpose:◦The students are able to use their mental

processes to apply previously stored and modified knowledge into situations who will be at the same time input and, therefore, learning.

ApproachAs Cognitivism is a complement

of behaviorism, the mechanistic, or organicist approaches might be used for this theory, with the same advantages and disadvantages mentioned in the behaviorism.

The main change is that the approaches are not based on the behavior but in the mental systems of learning.

Role of the Teacher and the StudentsTeacher:

◦Teacher must be careful with all the input he decides to use in the class. Every action he makes has to be thought in matters in how this will be stored in the mind of the student and how it will affect the future learning of the individual.

Students:◦The role of the students starts with full

attention on the teacher, the materials and other peers to create schemas and associations.

Role of the materials. Materials:

◦Input◦Constant (unconsciously repetitive)◦They must create an impact◦They have to follow a sequence◦They have to be realistic