EDUC 7100/8845, Module 2: Cognitivism as a Learning Theory

In the 1960’s cognitivism replaced behaviorism as a viable learning theory.  Cognitivism shifts learning from passive to active; the learner takes in information, processes it, and the results are that learning takes place.  This learning theory is vastly different from behaviorism, which says that learning is largely dependent on the influence of the environment in which a learner is raised and educated in (Cognitive theories…, n.d.).  Cognitive learning theory places the responsibility of learning on the shoulders of both the teacher and student.  Teachers must help students make connections to the material being taught, even if that means that they must present it in several different ways to make it accessible to all learning levels.  Students must access prior knowledge and experience with the material being taught in order to understand, retain, and be able to use the new knowledge they are gaining through the learning experience.

The blogs of Kapp (2007) and Kerr (2007) reinforce the belief that there is really not a perfect, one size fits all, learning theory out there.  Kerr (2007) points out, that there are “_isms” popping up all around us.  Some lead back to a more behaviorist ways of looking at learning, while others point to newer, more experimental ways of learning.  Kapp (2007) adds to this by suggesting that learning is not flat, that there are different levels depending on the student population in the classroom.  As a result, the educator should draw from as many learning theories as needed to meet the individual needs of the students they are teaching. 

What is clear after reading both blog postings, are that the opinions expressed by these three highly regarded gentlemen are still very much a part of our discussions today, more than 7 years later.  These _isms that Kerr (2007) talks about, seem to go in and out of style on a regular basis, and I believe that as more educational technology is introduced this trend will continue.  Why?  Because different technology requires different thought processes, and different thought processes require the use of different educational learning theories.  The conclusion, therefore, is that what is new today will soon become old, and what is old will eventually become new again. 

Keywords:  “cognitivism”, “behaviorism”, “learning theories”, “cognitivism vs. behaviorism”

References

Cognitive theories, paradigms and perspectives. (n.d.). In Learning theories in plain English vol. 1.  Retrieved from http://www.learning-theories.com/cognitivism.html

Kerr, B. (2007, January 1). _isms as filter, not blinker [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Kapp, K. (2007, January 2). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/index.php/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational/