For me, the glory of the human animal is cognitive activity.
Terence McKenna
The times we live in are indeed interesting and pretty fast-paced. For one, the economy we operate in is said to be knowledge- and technology driven. At an ever-increasing rate, new technologies are entering, not only the workplace, but also the classroom, where the talk-and-chalk method has long been supplanted by newer methods, cognitive learning (CL) being one of them.
Today’s blog seeks to clarify how cognitive learning positively impacts on the educational process and how it may continue to grow and advance into the future.
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What is Cognitive Learning?
Cognitive learning (CL) involves the use of adaptive computer systems to encourage learners to overcome real-life problems, as opposed to merely studying the theoretical parts of a subject like mathematics. It is, however, not simply about learning from computers; CL makes use of artificial intelligence systems to personalise lessons, recognising weak spots in a learner’s knowledge, matching activities with the learner‘s interests and connecting theory to practical parts of their daily lives.
A leader in the field of cognitive learning is Carnegie Learning Inc., a business established in 1998 that offers computerised tutoring for US post-secondary-, high- and middle school students.
This system, purportedly, accelerates learning, allowing learners to dig deeper into subjects. Their learning doesn’t end when they have solved a mathematical problem; they are, rather, encouraged to find out how their learnings may be related to other subjects, or branches of learning, thus, stimulating their critical thinking skills.
Let’s consider how best learners can make use of Carnegie Learning’s software.
This software is used regularly, at least twice weekly, by students and teachers who have been exposed to it. Typically, students will log onto a computer and attempt to answer a series of activities and problems, based on a subject of their choice, e.g. geometry or algebra. The programme analyses the way each learner answers the problems, points out any errors they are making and adjusts the rhythm to the learner’s needs.
For example, if a learner may be experiencing problems in one area of algebra, the programme will focus on that area and present the learner with specific activities and explanations until the area is no longer an issue to the learner.
There are, of course, several other online resources which utilise cognitive learning; finding them will just require a bit of patience and perseverance from you as you search for them online and find the one that suits you best!
Cognitive Learning Makes Studying Interesting. Really?
Cognitive learning makes use of various methods to make the process of acquiring new knowledge, in a subject, more enjoyable. One such method is the ‘flipped learning’ method popularised by the well-known Khan Academy. The Academy offers students more than 100 000 activities and problems to work through. All of the problems and activities target the particular strengths and weaknesses learners may experience in the conventional school setting.
The Khan Academy website covers many subjects, which include biology, chemistry, economics, history, macroeconomics, mathematics, microeconomics, medicine, organic chemistry and science.
In flipped learning, each learner focuses his or her attention on the areas of a subject where they feel there is a need or lack, with the tutor or teacher acting as a guide. The software allows the tutor or teacher to see the areas which are challenging for the learner, enabling him or her to intervene where strategically necessary. This is directly opposed to the scenario where the teacher arrives all prepared to deliver a specific topic, regardless of whether the learners may already understand the topic or not.
Flipped learning is a brilliant approach to teaching and learning and learners, generally, love and welcome it..
The cognitive learning and flipped methods take into account the fact that not everyone learns or understands concepts at the same pace; so, there will be various levels of understanding taking place at any one time. When students are allowed to progress at their own pace, a number of important pitfalls are avoided, such as passive learning (where the teacher talks and students simply listen), boredom and the fear of not being on the same level as their classmates.
Most adults will sometimes wonder about how they ever got through tough subjects like physics, chemistry or advanced mathematics. For some it’s a real mystery! Often, the issue is that the real-world connection of these subjects is never explained to students, so that they (the subjects) may not acquire ‘value’, where the students are concerned. CL wants to ensure that students know the real-world practical value of whatever they are learning. This is a major departure from the way teaching and learning has taken place historically.
The top CL programmes don’t only make learning practical, they also cater for learners’ personal interests. For example, a typical mathematics problem may read: “A car travels at 100 km/h. How many hours will it take the driver to cover a distance of 300 km/h?” This example may bore the students who have no interest in driving.
Cognitive software, on the other hand, allows a student to choose an area of interest (e.g. cooking, music, shopping, etc) and applies similar mathematical concepts in the following way: “A confectionary shop produces 100 cupcakes per hour. How long will it take the shop to make 400 cupcakes?” – ideal for students whose interest is baking. By making mathematical problems relate to students’ interests and hobbies, they will soon discover that mathematics can be enjoyable! Many learners will tell you that this is what makes education fun!
Do we Still Need Tutors, if We Have Cognitive Learning?
Although cognitive learning is a brilliant idea and is making learning easier for millions of learners around the globe, it does not remove the need for teachers. On the contrary, the need for a tutor or educator is accentuated, because someone has to lead and monitor the children, ensuring that they are making progress and attaining their study goals. A combination of computerised and face-to-face learning is best, especially since technology forms such a big part of the everyday lives of children and adults alike. The rate at which technology has been progressing definitely has many adults rethinking learning through play.
It can be said that cognitive learning supplements tutoring completely, since learners require teachers, at times, to help them understand the new learning to which they are being exposed.
Great news! Cognitive learning is not only for children. It is for any individual who wants to zoom in and boost their achievement in any subject they previously found difficult, simply because they did not have a positive learning experience. Now, they can enjoy the benefits of a great cognitive learning resource, like the Khan Academy, as well as Superprof, a great site for finding a private tutor. These prove that it’s never too late to attempt new learnings!
Although it has made considerable strides in recent years, cognitive learning is only starting out and offers a great deal for anyone who has a passion for learning and is experiencing what makes education fun.
Carnegie Learning Inc. and a number of other companies have been awarded grants to assess the effect of non-cognitive and cognitive factors on the learning process. The objective is to determine how moods, persistence and interest levels impact on learning.
We hope that you have enjoyed this article and that we have answered the question “What is cognitive Learning” for you.
We, also, hope that we’ve got you rethinking learning through play and how it can influence education in South Africa, hopefully, in the not too distant future. South Africans are really resilient people, and while there may be challenges in the classroom, the recent pandemic has shown that they will always find a way around or through something. Teachers will soon be making use of cellphones, where the school does not have the necessary infrastructure, to allow learners to enjoy world-class instruction via sites like The Khan Academy and the Carnegie Learning Inc.
The ideal situation would, of course, be a computer or laptop dedicated to each individual learner, so that they can work and progress independently, at his or her own pace. The challenge to the teacher, in a situation where cellphones are used, would be to exercise a tremendous amount of control and supervision, making sure that the learners are focused and on task!
But, as stated earlier, we’re resilient and will find a way!
If you’ve found value in this article or would like to make a comment, regarding cognitive learning, please do! Also, if you’re a teacher and would like to know how to use cognitive learning in your classroom, or, as a learner, you would like use it as a tool to support your learning, please do contact one of the helpful tutors on Superprof to point you in the right direction!
Want to give private lessons?
Join the Superprof community and share your knowledge with inquiring and motivated students.
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