Module 2: Cognitivism (Finley's Response)

One thing that I find evident from each of the posts is that no one learning theory is the definitive acceptable way in which humans learn. In terms of Bloom’s taxonomy, behaviorism supports lower level thought processes including knowledge and comprehension (Kapp, 2007). Cognitivism is not seen truly as a supporter of higher thought processes; however, it is thought to support thinking skills such as application and analysis.

Despite the fact that learning is thought to be an internal process, it is the outward display of how the knowledge is transferred to situations that is seen as evidence of information learned. According to Saettler, the following factors contributed to the emergence of cognitive theory over behaviorist theory (2004, p. 321):
“First, the development of the information processing approach that grew out of information theory…second, the impact of the computer, which provided an effective way to simulate human behavior and gave rise to a new subfield called artificial intelligence; third, in the field of linguistics, there was a dramatic shift from behaviorists theories of language toward an analysis of the structures underlying comprehension and production of utterance; and fourth, the theory and research of Jean Piaget had a profound influence on cognitive developmental psychology…”

For more information on cognitivism, please visit the following websites:

http://www.learning-theories.com/cognitivism.html

http://personal.psu.edu/users/w/x/wxh139/cognitive_1.htm

http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/802papers/mergel/brenda.htm

Additionally, check out this video with both behaviorism and cognitivism summarized:


Taken from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9XIrNGgoQ

References
Kerr, B. (2007). __isms as filter, not blinker. Retrieved March 31, 2010 from http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/01/isms-as-filter-not-blinker.html

Kapp, K. (2007). Out and about: Discussion on educational schools of thought. Retrieved March 31, 2010 from http://karlkapp.blogspot.com/2007/01/out-and-about-discussion-on-educational.html

Saettler, P. (2004) The evolution of American educational technology (2nd ed.). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.

Zalaquett, C. & Gomes, N. (2005). Bloom’s taxonomy pyramid. Retrieved March 31, 2010 from http://www.c21te.usf.edu/materials/institute/ct/index4.html