Week 2-2 Post

1. Week 2-2: Leave a 30-word micro session summary.

Cognitivism looks at the mental processes of the learner and how information is attained, structured, and recalled. Cognitive theories can be applied to the classroom in how teachers provide organized instruction, arrange extensive and variable practice, enhance learners’ encoding and memory, and enhance learners’ self-control of information processing.

2. What is learning from cognitive information processing theory perspective?

Learning is the process of relating old information to new information, however, the mental representations that are learned are not always reflected in behavior. We learned through processing, assimilating, and accommodating information. Information can be stored in our sensory, working, or long-term memory depending on the attention and rehearsal we give to that information. However, learning does not continue through these stages in a unilateral way; learning occurs in a variable and dynamic way.

3. What are the big things that you learned about cognitive information processing theory?

I thought it was interesting how cognitivism looks at the stages of how information in learned through the different levels of memory (specifically figure 1 in the “Information Processing Theory: Teaching Implication (Teaching Tookit)” reading). It shows me how complicated learning something can be! I think cognitive theories really get at the internal processes of the mind and how we have to continually shape and process information in order for it to be stored in long-term memory. I never really considered how a teacher has to think about how he or she is trying to get the information from the students’ short-term memory into their long-term memory.  I now appreciate when teachers review material the first five minutes of every class or combine lectures with small group activities so we learn the material in a variety of ways.

4. Do you think cognitive information processing theory demonstrates your own beliefs in how human learning occurs well? If so/not, why?

To some extent cognitive information processing theory reflects my own beliefs because learning is a process of the mind and is based on how we encode and store information. You don’t necessary learn complex information just based on rewards and punishments or observing others. You need to attend to the information, process it, and be able to retrieve it. Information is not learned until the mind has processed it. The different levels of memory (i.e., short-term, working, and long-term) explain how we can encode and retrieve some ideas better than others. However, this theory doesn’t explain our emotions or motivation to learn and attend to information. It doesn’t explain how reinforcements maintain or get rid of certain behaviors.

I found this cartoon that looks at the previous theories we have looked at. I wonder what a door for cognitivism would look like. Anyone have any ideas?

5. Do you have any questions or concerns about course learning? 

No question this week!

6. Week 2-2 Activity Completion Check

(Copy and paste the table below into your blog refection)

	Modules	Topics  & Activity	Check ✓ if Completed
Week 2	Week 2-1 *Due by July 24 at 10:59 am	1) Week 2-1 Reading Quiz	✓
		2) Week 2-1 Discussion Forum: one initial response & two peer feedback replies	✓
		3) Week 2-1 Personal Blog Reflection	✓
	Week 2-2 *Due by July 24 at 10:59 am	1) Week 2-2 Reading Quiz	✓
		2) Week 2-2 Discussion Forum: One initial response & two peer feedback replies	✓
		3) Week 2-2 Personal Blog Reflection	✓

7. Social Blog Activity: visit your peers' blogs and provide two feedback comments!

 Courtney Eaton’s Blog

Hi Courtney,

I like your explanation of social cognitive theory and learning through self-efficacy. I really enjoyed the video on motivation, especially the part about how doing activities with and without rewards changes brain activity. Also, the video mentioned mental contrasting which is something I try to do.

Thanks for sharing!

Miranda Singer’s Blog

Hi Miranda,

Great explanation of learning from the social cognitive theory perspective and the specific techniques that are used. I agree with you that hands-on approaches for certain classes are very helpful. I feel like I remember things better when I’m actively engaged in the activity as oppose to passively listening. This gives me self-efficacy and confidence to participate more.