Amber W. Bunce University of West Georgia Fall 2010

Cognitive Theories of Development Learning is a mental process. Emphasis is on conscious thoughts, intelligence and language Important theorist include Jean Piaget (Cognitive Development Theory) and Vygotsky (Sociocultural Cognitive Theory) Jean PiagetLev Vygotsky

Information-Processing Theory Development does not occur in stages Human input is comparative to the input functions of a computer People manipulate information, monitor it, and then strategize about it An individual’s ability to process information gradually increases and becomes more complex Older children have more complex and a larger variety of mental processes than those of younger children (Gale Research 1998)

Information-Processing: George A. Miller George A. Miller (Kearsley 2010)outlined major concepts to information-processing Basic principles to Miller’s theory Chunking – short-term memory can only comprehend 7 (plus or minus 2) chunks of information Concepts of human processing: gathering and encoding information; retention of information; retrieval of information (Cooper 2009)

Information-Processing: Allan Paivio Dual-encoding theory Verbal and non-verbal encoding occurs Verbal and non-verbal encoding are both equally important to processing Research based on Paivio’s dual-encoding theory has been beneficial and used in bilingual education (Kearsley 2010)

Information-Processing: In the Classroom Starting class: Gain attention Visual cues, voice inflection, movement Access Prior Knowledge Review previous materials Chart (Huitt 2003)

Teaching new materials Highlight important information Help/Teach organization skills – helping to relate new information to prior knowledge Teach in “chunks” of material Information-Processing: In the Classroom Chart (Huitt 2003)

Have them “use” the information – show learning Comparing and Contrasting Displaying information/data Mnemonic clues Information-Processing: In the Classroom Chart (Huitt 2003)

Reinforce basic skills and knowledge Drills Repetition of lesson main points Memory games Information-Processing: In the Classroom Chart (Huitt 2003)

Resources Ali-Hassan, H. (2008). Information processing theory. Retrieved from rocessing_theory. Cooper, S. (2009). Theories in Learning in Educational Psychology. Retrieved from inc.com/Learningtheories/learningmap.html. Gale Research. (1998). Information processing theory. Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence. FindArticles.com. 24 Oct, Huitt, W. (2003). The information processing approach to cognition. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved from, Kearsley, G. (2010). The theory into practice database. Retrieved from Santrock, J.W., (2008). Essentials of life-span development (1st ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill