Cognitive learning theory: learners are active, build on prior learning, and learning is a change in mental structures¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The paper presents cognitive learning theory, citing Eggen and Kauchak, as the view that "learners are active in their attempts to understand the world" and that learning is a change in mental structures rather than observable behavior. It also cites Schneider and Stern's account in which knowledge must be understood and stored in a well-organised manner in long-term memory to be used later in different situations. The article uses this framework to justify attending to students' cognitive styles in ELT classes.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Instruction should engage learners as active constructors of understanding who build on prior learning

Constraints¶

• The article presents this as background theory attributed to Eggen and Kauchak and Schneider and Stern, not as a tested framework of its own

Target Learners¶

• University EFL/ESL students

Target Learning Objectives¶

• English vocabulary learning
• Language skills development

Claims¶

Related Theories¶

• The schema-of-the-moment: cognition as a transient functional organization of simultaneously active neuronal elements
• Cognitivism

Examples¶

-

Key Sources¶

• Ozlem Yagcioglui. (2016). The Positive Effects of Cognitive Learning Styles in ELT Classes. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.166311