1. Cognitivist Theory
By K.F.

2. Key People Associated with this Theory
• Allan Paivio
-Dual Coding Theory: people process information in two distinctly different was, 1.) processing
images and 2.) processing of language.
• Robert Gagne
-He is known to contributing to learning hierarchies. The five learning outcomes he established
are: 1. Verbal information 2. Intellectual skills: composed of concrete and defined concepts 3. Cognitive
strategies 4. Motor skills 5. Attitudes
• Howard Gardner
-Gardner’s original eight intelligences: 1.Linguistic-verbal 2. Logical- mathematical 3.Spatial- visual
4. Body-kinesthetic 5. Musical 6. Interpersonal 7. Intrapersonal 8.Naturalist
• Benjamin Bloom
-Learning in three domains: 1. Cognitive domain – a student
S intellectual level. 2. Affective domain – student’s emotions. 3. Psychomotor – a student’s motor skills
and physical abilities..

3. Key points of theory
• The Cognitivist theory states that activities like
thinking and remembering seem like a behavior,
thus providing an avenue to use behavior analysis
to measure their affect on learning.
• This theory came along right after the
Behaviorism theory, so there has always been
tension between them. A response to the
Behaviorism theory is, people are not
“programmed animals.”

4. What the teacher does with this
theory
• It is the basis of the educational approach known
as constructivism, which emphasizes the role of
the learner in constructing his own view or model
of the material, and what help with that.
• Careful planning must tae place so that learning is
optimal and instruction can be broken down into
meticulously planned lessons.

5. Teaching: With/without technology
With Technology Without Technology
Word processing programs Gain attention from learners
Database programs Inform learners of objective
Draw and Paint programs Stimulate recall of prior learning
Software requiring alternate input such as Present the stimulus or lesson
a joystick
Programs that combine stories with songs Provide learning guidance and instruction
Telecommunications programs Elicit performance
Tutorial software Assess performance
Problem solving software Enhance retention and transfer

6. Students learn with this theory
• Learning results in observable behavior.
• Their attention is gained, and they are
motivated and they can recall what they
learned.
• Teachers reach recognition with one thing to
move onto something more intense.

7. Learning: With/without technology
With Technology Without Technology
Programs that require reading and They can arrange, repeat, recall, define,
answering questions list, match, name, order, narrate, describe
Programs that let students to experiment Summarize, classify, explain, discuss, give
with problems and observe results and examples, identify
strategy game formats
Programs that use visual clues Analyze, demonstrate, solve, change,
discover, experiment, interpret, show,
present
Programs that use a joystick, touch Collect, assemble, compose, develop,
windows or graphics tablet design
Programs that associate letters/sounds Invent, create, plan, revise, role-play,
with music theorize
Programs that include group participation Compare, assess, contrast, criticize,
debate, judge
Programs that encourage self-awareness Value, predict, estimate, appraise
Strategy game formats

8. My opinion
I think this theory is valid. I studied this theory
before this assignment and even college, so I am
familiar with what it is about. I like the idea of
incorporating different technologies for the
different learners. I would incorporate this into my
classroom by giving them the test which classifies
which kind of learner you are. Although, someone
can learn by a mixture of the types of learning
strategies, like I can. It is important that everyone
comprehends the lesson and can productively
produce work and recall what they learned. This
theory helps students learn and teachers teach.

9. Work Cited
• Atherton J S (2011) Learning and Teaching; Cognitive theories
of learning [On-line: UK] retrieved 15 November 2011
from http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/cognitive
.htm
• Learning Theories Knowledgebase (2011, November).
Cognitivism at Learning-Theories.com. Retrieved November
15th, 2011 from http://www.learning-
theories.com/cognitivism.html
• Shelly, G. Gunter and Randolph Gunter. “Learning Theories
and Educational Research.” Integrating Technology and Digital
Media into the Classroom. Sixth Edition. Course Technology.
Boston. 2010