Cognitivism

What is Cognitivism?

Cognitivism is the learning theory that helps us to understand what is happening inside the mind while we are doing the work of processing information.

In the early stages of the development of this theory, there were thought to be two places where we store information. One is short-term memory, now more commonly referred to as working memory and long-term memory.

Working memory is the part of the brain that stores the information we are currently working with. For example, if you ask for directions (pretend you don't have GPS on your phone), the part of the brain where you concentrate and hold that information is your working memory. Working memory is limited in its capacity, only able to hold a finite amount of information. If you do not anchor that information by repeating or using it, that information will not get processed in your long term memory, and you will lose it.

Long term memory is where the information that we have learned, is stored. As far as we know, this part of the brain has unlimited capacity. The more we use the information that is stored in our long term memory, the stronger that information storage is. Think of it as a path through the woods. The more you tread through the same path, the less obstacles you will have the next time you walk through.

Cognitive Load Theory

Cognitive Load Theory was first introduced by John Sweller, who said that our working memory could only process a finite amount of information at a given time. He then identified three different forms of cognitive load.

They are; intrinsic load. Which is the material/information that we are currently learning in isolation and the demand it places on the learner. For example; new grammar rules, or a new science concept such as the water cycle.

Next, we have extraneous load, which are ways that can diminish the processing of information. This could be anything that takes away from the core idea being taught. For example, flashy videos that don't have to do with the learning. You can become distracted by trying to process all the extra information you are receiving.

Lastly, we have germane load. This is the last step in the process where intrinsic and extraneous load are balanced enough to let the learning occur.

This video breaks down the three different cognitive loads. It also includes how working memory and long term memory are included together to unify the Cognitive Load Theory.

Key Contributors

Albert Bandura 1925-2021

Bandura's key contribution to cognitivism is social cognitivism. He believed that a person's behavior is made up not only by past experiences, culture, and developmental stages but by those around you. He believed that observational learning plays a large role in learning.

Jerome Bruner 1915-2016

This name may look familiar to you as he is a key contributor to the learning theory of constructivism. His work in constructivism influenced the work in cognitivism that followed.

John Sweller 1946-

John Sweller is credited with Cognitive Load Theory (explained above). His theory states that the working memory has a limited capacity to hold information and breaks down the three different ways the brain encodes or learns the information.

Strengths

Brain research and how people learn is a field that we are starting to understand in more depth. As our understanding increases, we are able to help students make sense of and retain information. Instructors can more effectively help learners who are neurodivergent. Testing for deficits in working memory and long term retrieval has made the educational playing field more even by giving students and teachers strategies to aid in learning. One of the great things about cognitivism is that you may be using a strategy to help one learner in particular, you may be helping many more.

Weakness

Even though we can test for deficits in the cognitive process, it is difficult to quantify deficits as they are ever changing as many other factors can play a part in taking away from the learning. Much of cognitivism relies on inference and that can be challenging. You have to keep in mind other factors of working memory and long-term retrieval such as learning disabilities or executive functioning skill deficits. Maybe the learner needs more time to process, maybe they have an auditory processing issue. While the research is helpful, there is much we still need to learn.

Here's What I Think...

As a former classroom teacher and lifelong learner, I do agree with the idea of Cognitivism as well as Cognitive Load Theory. I have experienced firsthand that the working memory can only hang on to so much information at a time, and if not practiced, repeated, and, retaught, it won't stick. This holds for young students and adults. The strategies and best practices, which I will discuss next, are crucial for learners to get that information from the working memory to the long term memory so they can store it there for eventual long term retrieval.

Implications for Instructional Design

What can we do to increase learning? A lot!

Chunk information into smaller pieces and allow for processing.
Put all relevant information in one place.
Keep distractions or extraneous information out of your teaching. I know, I know... I love funny meme's too but only use them if they are relevant.
Provide examples.
Use auditory and visuals to increase learner engagement.
Please, please, please...don't read your PowerPoint or Google Slide word for word.
Connect your teaching to previous learning. Help strengthen those pathways by anchoring them to known pathways.

Canada, M. G. H. (2021, May 13). Richard Mayer's cognitive theory of multimedia learning. McGraw Hill Canada. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.mheducation.ca/blog/richard-mayers-cognitive-theory-of-multimedia-learning

byinfed.org, P. (2019, October 13). Jerome Bruner and the process of Education. infedorg. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://infed.org/jerome-bruner-and-the-process-of-education/

Seifert, K., Sutton, R., Borich, G. D., Tombari, M. L., & Hoose, N. A.-V. (2020, June 1). Social Cognitive Learning theory. Go to the cover page of Educational Psychology. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://edpsych.pressbooks.sunycreate.cloud/chapter/social-cognitive-learning-theory/

YouTube. (2018). YouTube. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkH0EGYqWO0.

Cognitive load theory and its application in the classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://impact.chartered.college/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Cognitive-Load-Theory-and-its-application-in-the-classroom.pdf

Strengths and weaknesses of the Cognitive Approach (with examples). Advantages and disadvantages table in A Level and IB Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2022, from https://getrevising.co.uk/grids/strengths_and_weaknesses_of_the_cognitive

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