Instructional Strategies and Cognitive Learning Theory

Cognitive learning theory focuses on the ways that people process information.  It is imperative that teachers have knowledge of the different theories and instructional strategies that align with them so they can adjust lessons according to how their students will learn the content.  By now, educators should know that most students cannot learn from simple direct instruction.  Teachers need to break old habits and test different strategies to help students learn and retain information.  

In "Cognitive Learning Theories," Dr. Michael Orey discusses three main facets of cognitive learning: sensory registers, short-term memory, and long-term memory.  People receive information through their senses, and it becomes part of their short-term memories, where students can only handle about seven items at a time.  Information is then sent to long-term memory, where items are stored as a network of connections between ideas (2009).  Teachers can implement strategies that stem from the concept of retention as a result of connections between ideas.

Visual aides are very important for some students.  Paivlo's duel coding hypothesis supports the method of using images to teach concepts because people remember images and labels as duel codes .  Teachers can present simply-worded topics with related images to help students make memorable connections.  Connections can also be made through elaboration, or relating a new subject to a familiar subject to learn and remember it (i.e. General Lee wore Lee Jeans) (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009).  

A specific instructional strategy that I plan to try in my math instruction is concept maps for organizing information.  So many of my students struggle with remembering steps to solving certain types of equations and problems.  Concept maps and other note-taking tools can help them visualize the flowchart of steps they should follow to find solutions.

References

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works.  Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Cognitive learning theories. Bridging learning theory, instruction, and technology. DVD (custom ed.).