Cognitivism in Practice
Cognitivism in sharp contrast to behaviourism supported the idea that learning is a mental process which starts at the point where information is received and undergoes manipulation, finally stored and eventually used. Level-Duffy, & McDonald, (2008). Cognitivism is rooted in the idea that behaviour can be “controlled and changed by way of reasoning and analysis”
while behaviourism is teacher centred, cognitivism is learner centered, learner becomes more active while the teacher takes the role of a stand-by guide, and he comes in only when necessary. Learners embark on the voyage of self-discovery using discussions, case studies, explorations, questioning, projects and presentations. Learners are always in charge of their own learning and move to the next level in a self directed fashion. The Montessori School based its teaching method on the cognitive theory assumption that “emotional factors and personal growth” must be considered and given priority of highest order if the learners must develop in their learning, and lessons are seen as “experimental interaction” to support learners’ true normal development.which translates to the fact that lesson should be based on what learners can handle at their particular stage of development.
The cognitivist theory based its pedagogy on the assumption that the “black box” in the learner’s mind should be “opened and understood.” The cognitivists believe that human mind is like a processor, capable of processing many and different types of information.
Importance of Cues, Questions and Advanced organizers
Cues, questions and advanced organizers is an instructional strategy developed to make contents attainment easier for learners. This method focused on augmenting students’ ability to “retrieve, organize and use” information. Pitler, (2007). Cues are hints that inform learners about what they will experience, while questions help to invoke learners’ prior knowledge and advanced organizers help learners to arrange, organize and make sense of curriculum contents. This strategy, if used appropriately helps students to focus on important information, arrange information in an organized way and enables learners to personalize their own learning.
