Cognitive apprenticeship framework with four learning-environment dimensions¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 3 claims (3 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 3 claims rest on one study

Description¶

Cognitive apprenticeship is defined as learning through guided experience on cognitive and metacognitive rather than physical skills, rooted in social learning theories and Vygotsky's zone of proximal development. The article states the resulting method comprises a learning environment of four dimensions: "content, method, sequencing and the sociology of a learning environment". The method dimension synthesizes modeling, coaching, and scaffolding with articulation, reflection, and exploration, and the article applies this framework to design philosophy sessions.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Instructional strategies must make tacit expert thinking processes visible to learners so they can observe and practice them

Constraints¶

• The framework targets cognitive and metacognitive skills rather than the physical skills of traditional apprenticeship

Target Learners¶

• non-specialized (in philosophy) students in higher education

Target Learning Objectives¶

• complex cognitive tasks such as philosophical reasoning and concept analysis

Claims¶

• The review reports that cognitive apprenticeship instructional methods were significantly more effective than traditional methods for college-level writing skills [+M]
• The review reports reciprocal teaching of reading, an approach exemplifying cognitive apprenticeship, was remarkably effective in raising reading comprehension scores, especially for poor readers [+M]
• The review reports that students receiving situated instruction outperformed a lecture-based control group on a causality posttest [+M]

Related Theories¶

• Situated Cognition Context Authenticity Activity
• Zone of Proximal Development: the gap between independent and assisted problem solving
• Sociocultural Theory
• Guided participation and traditional apprenticeship as core CA concepts
• Zone of Proximal Development as an assessment and instruction tool
• Situated learning: knowledge and skills are learned in contexts that reflect how the knowledge will be used in real life

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Emmanuel Imiere. (2019). An Application of Cognitive Apprenticeship to Philosophy Instruction. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED613714