What is Cognitive Learning Theory? Strategies & Benefits of Cognitive Theory?

Plenty of times, students find themselves wondering about the best ways to retain information for an extended period and use it at opportune times. But more often than not, they struggle to apply the knowledge that they have gained, primarily due to ineffective learning practices. Therefore, institutes and educators strive to look for ways that would help to enhance thinking capabilities, in effect also making a positive impact on their overall development.

Similar to the schools and colleges, the corporate sector also incorporates various programmes and sessions focusing on cognitive learning. Consequently, it helps the employees to work more efficiently and provides them with the insight to apply relevant skills for a specific task. In the long run, it helps the organisation to achieve its goals and objectives.

What are the Processes of Cognitive Learning Theory?

1. Perception

Perception refers to recognising the environmental stimuli and the action while responding to the stimuli. It is a significant cognitive learning process wherein individuals process information during simple or complex events. In addition, prior experience also affects one's perception.

2. Concept formation

Concept formation helps to organise information accordingly in different categories. For instance, it helps to decide which way to go after seeing a road sign pointing in a specific direction.

3. Memory

Memory forms the foundation of the cognitive learning process as it helps to store and recover information that individuals have previously learned. Moreover, it does not focus on short-term or long-term memory. Instead, it emphasises creating an environment of mastering a concept that helps them to relate to their prior experiences.

4. Application

The application component of the cognitive learning approach promotes the application of new information or skills in real-life situations. Consequently, helping to develop problem-solving skills.

What are the Strategies of Cognitive Learning?

Be it any corporate environment or high educational institute, below are some strategies that ensure productivity in all spheres:

1. Learner-centred strategy

As the term suggests, this strategy focuses on the students, taking a cue from the accumulated knowledge, education, previous experience and ideas. Therefore, this approach is about relating new information to existing knowledge.

So, when any chapter or topic is started in the class, the students can share their opinions and views.

Three significant components of the Learner-centred approach

• Accommodation - Incorporating new information by modifying what the individuals already know.
• Assimilation - Organising the new knowledge in the brains apart from what already they know.
• Equilibrium - Balancing the new information that the individual is trying to acquire with the existing knowledge.

2. Learning through discovery strategy

Learning is a continuous process, and there is no end to it; hence as per this strategy, individuals have the liberty to build knowledge by exploring new ideas. Furthermore, this strategy helps develop analytical skills as it helps analyse any problem and come up with the best solution. It encourages individuals to discover answers by themselves and put them face to face with real-world issues. Additionally, this strategy is often used in one of the levels of Bloom’s taxonomy.

3. Meaningful Learning Strategy

The most commonly used technique that students and educators employ to learn a lesson is rote learning. But that results in ineffective learning because they can't retain the information and hence cannot apply it to any situation or problem.

In stark contrast, cognitive learning strategies like meaningful learning strategy helps to inculcate a wholesome experience for students. The approach guides instructors to implement several active learning activities, which enhances the student-teacher dynamics. Additionally, it also fosters student responsibility.

4. Personalised Learning Strategy

Each student is a unique individual and has their own problems and perspectives about the world. Hence, it is only appropriate for instructors to create a learning experience to fit individuals depending on their knowledge.

A personalised learning strategy helps educators design a plan of action for students to optimise their strengths and improve their shortcomings. Also, institutes often use a learning management system to implement the strategy in the classroom.

Types & Examples of Cognitive Learning Strategies

Written below are the Types & examples of cognitive learning:

1. Explicit Learning

Explicit learning is the voluntary attempt to learn something that an individual desires; when they actively seek knowledge or try to learn a new skill or process.

An example of explicit learning is when students enrol themselves in a photography course to learn the specific technique to capture a high-resolution picture.

2. Implicit Learning

Implicit learning happens when the individual passively gains new knowledge or skill while unaware of the entire process. This kind of learning occurs when they work, talk, or do any normal day-to-day work.

For instance, typing fast without looking at the keyboard is an ideal example of implicit learning.

3. Meaningful Learning

Meaningful learning occurs when individuals are able to relate the newly acquired information with their past experiences. This is possible because the cognitive learning approach enables individuals to apply problem-solving skills in different areas of life.

4. Collaborative Learning

The strategy also encourages instructors to include activities and tasks in the classroom that require students to do collaborative learning. Furthermore, when students work in groups or teams, it helps to build social skills and develop their ideas and knowledge.

5. Experiential learning

Experiential learning happens throughout one’s academic life and career. When individuals take valuable lessons from their experiences(both positive and negative), for instance, while participating in an assignment, a student might not score the highest marks. Still, it would help him to understand why he lagged.