COGNITIVE LEARNING THEORY
Cognitive
learning theory states that learning occurs when the information in the environment is changed
to knowledge ( in the mind ). According
to the cognitive theorists, learning is
a thinking process which involves knowledge undergoing through lot of
unobservable changes. The learner interacts with the environment with the help of the senses and
changes the existing knowledge within him or her to accommodate the new knowledge.
In
order for the learner to learn anything new the mind needs
to be in disequilibrium. This happens when the learner comes across new
knowledge. While in this state he uses his mental skills to think of a way to accommodate
the new knowledge. If able to accommodate information then goes
to the long term memory resulting in real learning. Or else moves to
the short term memory or working memory where the knowledge will remain no more
than 15-20 seconds and will disappear unless rehearsed. Thus it is really
important that we try out different ways of teaching so that what
students learn remains in their minds forever.
