Cognitivism is a learning theory that focuses on the internal mental processes involved in learning. It emphasizes how learners actively process, store, and retrieve information. This approach views learners as active participants in their own education, rather than passive recipients of knowledge.
“Cognitive theories emphasize making knowledge meaningful and helping learners organize and relate new information to existing knowledge in memory…they address the issue of how information is received , organized , stored , and retrieved by the mind”( Edmer & Newby, 2013).
Significant Practitioners of Cognitivism
● Jean Piaget: Developed the theory of cognitive development, which describes how children's thinking changes as they mature.
● Jerome Bruner: Emphasized the importance of discovery learning and scaffolding, where teachers provide support to help learners gradually gain independence.
● Robert Gagné: Developed the Conditions of Learning theory, which outlines the factors that influence effective learning.
Cognitivism has significantly influenced the field of education, providing a framework for understanding how learners process information and how to design effective learning environments.