Cognitivism Learning Theory | Free LET Reviewer and Drill

 Child & Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles LET REVIEWER

Lesson 28: Cognitivism Learning Theory

Professional Education (PROFED) Reviewer

Cognitivism is a learning theory that says learning happens through thinking and mental processes. Unlike behaviorists who only studied observable behavior, cognitivists believe we must understand what happens inside the mind. Cognitivism treats the mind as an "information processor" similar to a computer, where information is taken in, processed, stored, and retrieved. Instead of just watching what people do, cognitivists want to understand how people think while they learn.

Black Box

The mind was like a locked box that behaviorists refused to open. Cognitivists came along and said:

"We need to see inside that box to really understand learning."

Image from edteachtheory

Behaviorists treated the mind like a "black box." They said information goes in, something happens inside (that we cannot see), and a response comes out. They ignored the middle part because they could not observe it directly. Cognitivists said this was wrong and opened the black box to study how thinking actually works. 

Cognitivism compares the human brain to a computer. Just as a computer receives data, processes it, stores it, and retrieves it when needed, the human brain works the same way with information.

• Input - information enters through your senses (seeing, hearing, touching)
• Processing - your brain understands and organizes the information
• Storage - your brain saves it in memory
• Retrieval - your brain gets the information out when you need it

Four Stages of Learning

Cognitivism explains learning through four stages:

1. Input (Sensation)

Information from the environment enters your brain through your senses. For example, seeing new math problems on a board. 

• Information comes into your brain through your eyes, ears, nose, and skin.

2. Processing (Perception and Thinking)

Your brain receives the information and does something with it. It organizes it, connects it to things you already know, and makes sense of it. This is where active thinking happens.

• Your brain understands what the information means and connects it to things you already know.

3. Storage (Memory)

Your brain saves the organized information in memory. Some goes to short-term memory (stays for a few seconds), and some goes to long-term memory (can stay for years or forever).

• Your brain stores the information so you can use it later.

4. Retrieval (Using Knowledge)

When you need the information, your brain takes it out of memory and uses it. For example, days later when you see a similar math problem, you retrieve what you learned and use it to solve it.

• Your brain pulls the information out of storage when you need to use it.

What is schema?

Schema - is how your brain organizes related information together, like a mental filing system. It groups everything you know about a topic in one place.

• Example: You have a schema for "school" that includes classrooms, teachers, desks, tests, and homework all organized together. You have a schema for "family" with parents, siblings, and relatives. Your brain uses these organized folders to understand things quickly.

Short term memory VS Long term memory

Short Term Memory (working memory): it holds a small amount of information you are actively thinking about (about 5-9 pieces). It is temporary.

Long-Term Memory: it stores huge amounts of information for a long time, possibly forever. This is where your knowledge and skills live.

To understand easily think about this short term memory is what you are thinking about RIGHT NOW. Long-term memory is everything you have learned in your whole life. Learning happens when information moves from short term memory into long-term memory.

Why attention is important to cognitivism?

Attention is important because you cannot process everything at once, so your brain focuses on certain information. Good teachers grab and keep students' attention by using bright colors, interesting stories, or surprising things. When students pay attention, information gets processed deeply and learned well. You can only think about a few things at once. The things you pay attention to are the things you learn. 

Active Learning

Learning is not passive. You do not just receive information. Your brain actively works to process, organize, and understand it. Active thinking (asking questions, explaining ideas, discussing, solving problems) makes learning much stronger than passive listening.

Example: A student who actively works through problems learns better than a student who just listens to a lecture. You have to DO something with the information for your brain to really learn it.

Teaching Strategies on Cognitivism

1. Organize Information Clearly: Present information in an organized way so students' brains can easily process and store it. Show how ideas connect to each other.
2. Activate Prior Knowledge: Connect new learning to what students already know. This helps students understand better and build stronger schemas.
3. Use Visual Aids: Pictures, diagrams, and videos help students process and understand information more deeply.
4. Break Information into Chunks: Do not overwhelm students with too much new information at once. Break it into smaller pieces so working memory does not get overloaded.
5. Encourage Active Processing: Ask questions, encourage discussion, and have students explain ideas in their own words instead of just telling them the answer.
6. Help Organize Information: Teach students how to make outlines, concept maps, and notes to organize what they learn.

Behaviorism VS Cognitivism

Aspect	Behaviorism	Cognitivism
What we study	Observable behavior only	Thinking and mental processes
The learner	Responds to stimuli	Actively processes information
How learning happens	Through conditioning and rewards/punishment	Through active thinking and organizing information
Importance of memory	Ignored	Central to learning
Focus	External consequences	Internal thinking and understanding

Cognitivism Learning Theory Quiz: click here

“If you truly understand, comment your reflection in at least 3-5 sentences or more about this lesson.”
With God’s grace, you’ll surely pass the upcoming board exam! 🙏

 Next Lesson

Previous Lesson

 FREE LET REVIEWER
click here