In recent years, a novel idea of cognitive learning has been put forward in the field of education. In this trend, learners take a more active role in their own learning process.
Besides traditional methods, this is a new approach, strategy, and technique that can help learners ignite their potential.
If you are in search of an article that can help you gain insight into the characteristics of cognitive learning then this article is exactly what you need. It is full of practical tips for achieving measurable results when it comes to cognitive learning.
Cognitive learning is a set of strategies, tools, and technologies that can be used to improve student performance.
In this article, I’ll explain what cognitive learning is, why it’s effective, and how it can be applied to any learning experience, from e-learning to corporate training.
What is Cognitive Learning?
Cognitive learning is a term used when individuals learn through their brains. Cognitive learning is the branch of psychology that involves how people learn.
A person’s capacity for acquiring and manipulating information, attention span, perceptual skill, and comprehension are all considered to be core aspects of cognitive learning. These include memory, short-term memory, attention, perceptual skill, and comprehension.
Its purpose is to teach learners how to think rather than what to think. It helps them develop the key abilities they need for success in their jobs or careers
How Does Cognitive Learning Work?
Cognitive learning is based on the theory that the brain learns through observation, repetition, and practice.
In cognitive learning, you watch someone else do something (observation), try to mimic what they do (repetition), and ask them questions or take notes after they explain their process or product (practice).
With this method, students assimilate new concepts with what they already know. It is based on the concept that teaching strategies should be guided by an individual’s intellectual development.
The basic idea of cognitive learning is that learners need to construct new knowledge for themselves by connecting already known information.
What Are the Advantages of Cognitive Learning?
Learning more efficient
Cognitive learning is a powerful and effective mode of learning that utilizes the learner’s brain to its full potential. It also targets all aspects of the brain, including reasoning, emotions, and intuition, to help learners learn more efficiently.
By doing so, it delivers a deeper and wider approach to knowledge and skills acquisition.
Memory retention
Cognitive learning improves the learning ability, memory, and intelligence of learners. It involves using your brain to think more deeply about the subject, thus increasing your retention ability. It also increases the ability to memorize and recall more information, thus improving one’s memory.
Skills that match the current world needs
In this case, cognitive learning can provide learners with more sophisticated skills that are required in today’s workplace.
Additionally, this type of learning strives to be student-centered and promote higher-order thinking.
The idea behind this type of learning is that students learn concepts and apply those concepts to new situations. This approach helps to prepare learners for the real world because it instills skills that match the current world’s needs.
Improved active and collaborative learning
Cognitive learning is one of the new trends in education. Using this approach, people can learn more effectively by interacting with each other and the environment around them than if they sit passively in a classroom.
This type of learning encourages collaboration among learners. Furthermore, it puts more emphasis on working together rather than competing against each other for grades.
Adaptive and individualized learning
Cognitive learning platforms are based on the principles of neuroscience. It emphasizes learning through experience and adapting to what you learn.
Students learn more than just facts and can apply knowledge through activities, games, group work, projects, simulations, case studies, simulations, and more. The basic architecture of cognitive learning is “learning by doing”.
What Components Make Up Cognitive Learning?
This model includes the following components:
1. Comprehension
Comprehension is the first step of cognitive learning, which requires us to understand the objective, subject, and context of knowledge.
Content comprehension determines how well you understand the whole concept of each subject (the objective, subject, and context).
Knowledge comprehension refers to the process of breaking down a concept into subtopics. Students use comprehension strategies when they identify the main idea, supporting details, and relationships between ideas in any piece of text.
2. Memory
Memory is a subset of learning that references the long-term storing and later retrieval of information. When you take in new information you are storing it in your brain. Through memory, you can recall the information when you need it.
There can be as many as 3 types of memory: sensory, short-term, and long-term. Some would also add a 4th component – intuition or instinct – which can be understood as our internal drive.
3. Application
In the application component, learners are encouraged to apply what they have learned. In general, an application component causes learners to think about how a new behavior can be adopted successfully in a real-life setting.
Strategies for Cognitive Learning
1. Learning by doing
Learning by doing, also known as enactive learning, encourages students to explore and experiment with their environment to discover knowledge. Activities such as hands-on experiments and other practical exercises are used to help students learn concepts rather than information.
Learning by doing is often the best way to learn. During this type of learning, learners participate directly in experiences meant to teach skills. Individuals can remain active during learning tasks, which means they practice and perform.
2. Learner-centered approach
A learner-centered strategy incorporates all of the elements of designing an instructional environment for cognitive learning. A learner is actively participating in their learning process. He/she makes full use of what they already know and builds on their earlier experience.
The learner is the focus of the instructional design process. Learners need to feel they are in control of the process, with the proper level of support, motivation, and feedback. Instructional design strategies thus cater to the learner’s existing conceptual framework.
3. Intentional learning
Intentional learning is a developmental process. A person acquires knowledge by constructing a cognitive map of information through a series of steps.
In this process, learners must identify and acquire relevant information. Then they integrate it with other knowledge and create a framework for future decisions.
It relies on the learner’s prior dispositions and experiences to help them organize their thoughts into products that are meaningful to them.
4. Social learning
Social learning is a key enabler of the use of e-learning in organizations. It enables knowledge, experience, and ideas exchange across geographical and organizational boundaries to facilitate the learning organization.
Social learning makes use of technology-based tools such as blogs, wikis, and podcasts. It is both a powerful and effective means of learning, and it is gaining traction at an astonishing rate.
Is There a Way to Use Cognitive Learning to Achieve the Best Results?
Cognitive learning is a trend in the e-learning industry because it allows for an interactive learning environment. However, novice instructors implementing it can fail to use the tool appropriately.
It is complex to implement cognitive learning. However, it takes not just good software and instructional design practices to yield the best results, but also a favorable organizational climate.
At its core, cognitive learning is about creating a deep understanding of the subject material. The premise behind it is simple: learners must understand a concept, not simply remember it.
To become a truly effective learner, you must develop deep insights into the topics you are studying.
How Does Cognitive Learning Impact the e-learning Industry?
Cognitive learning is a concept that reflects how people think, learn, and solve problems. While not entirely new to the e-learning industry, the framework has gained significant attention in recent years due to its wide range of applications.
Cognitive-based learning is applicable across e-learning domains. It is useful in training employees, in online courses, in webinars, and in virtual classrooms. Furthermore, the e-learning industry is continuously evolving due to changes in IT technologies.
With the advent of handheld devices, tablets, and smartphones, this trend will likely continue due to the increased availability of computing devices these days. It is also an effective means of providing training to employees and to others who may need it at any location or time.
What are Cognitive Learning tools?
1. Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a group technique that produces ideas freely. In addition, the more people participate in the session, the more ideas come up.
The underlying principle of brainstorming is to make the process of generating ideas less analytical and more intuitive.
2. Blended learning
Blended learning is a cost-effective e-learning model, in which traditional classroom teaching methodologies are blended with computer-assisted instructional tools.
A blended learning environment provides a platform for a teacher to instruct a course and a facilitator/instructor guide in a virtual classroom.
3. Gamification
Gamification is the application of game design concepts and game mechanics in non-game contexts. It also engages users in certain behaviors to drive a more desirable user experience.
By engaging participants quickly and encouraging them to learn, casual and educational games proves to be an effective learning strategy.
4. Microlearning
Microlearning is a knowledge delivery method that involves small bursts of microlearning content at regular intervals to maximize learning effectiveness.
It is generally thought of as a short, concise, context-rich learning opportunity available in tiny, easily consumable snippets across any medium.
5. Mobile learning
Mobile learning has developed into an effective cognitive learning tool, providing opportunities for lifelong learning. One of the major advantages of mobile learning is its capability to reach students while they are on the move.
FAQs
What are some applications of cognitive learning in education?
In education, cognitive learning is used in classrooms to add interactivity to traditional programs that use lectures, worksheets, and quizzes for elementary through upper-division university courses.
One application of this type of learning is the use of learning management systems (LMS) to provide multimedia-rich learning content in virtual libraries.
Students can gain a more engaging and complete experience with an instructor’s presentations, simulations, audio, and video.
Is cognitive learning all about computers?
No. Cognitive learning is not just about computers. Rather, it is about how people learn in general. However, the connections with computers are important because many cognitive learning issues relate to computer-based systems.
How does cognitive learning help in the corporate world?
Business leaders for for-profit or nonprofit organizations are in a unique position to harness the power of cognitive learning.
It employs instructional technology to help employees gain mental skills. It also helps to transfer them into actionable outcomes that improve their performance.
Additionally, it is rapidly changing the way organizations operate and is quickly becoming a core function of human capital management.
How is cognitive learning different from other types of learning?
It is the most effective type of learning in terms of results achieved. Unlike traditional instructional approaches, it has no set rules for what it conforms to. This means there is no right or wrong way of learning.
Final Thoughts
Cognitive learning is a method that combines multimedia, lectures, and other teaching materials to enable students to grasp concepts and absorb information effectively. Also, its widespread practice can help students gain critical knowledge and skills through e-learning platforms.
Now that you understand what cognitive learning is, did you know you can make money through e-learning by creating online courses? For more information, see the article on how to create and sell profitable online courses. If you need insights on topic ideas, see the article on the best online course topic ideas.
LMS Hero is a blog that offers something interesting or useful to everyone, whether you’re an individual seeking education or an educator creating e-learning content. Feel free to explore the blog.
Thank you for reading.
