Using cognitive learning theory to explain what is involved in learning in particular learning activity - Essay Example

This paper briefly analyses the cognitive learning theory and various cognitive functions with respect to a learning activity; “using a computer application”. I960’s have witnessed the incorporation of cognitive skills to the learning theories. Edward Tolman was the first one who proposed the importance of cognitive functions in learning activities. Even though he was a behaviourist, he has given more preference to the internal mental phenomena and postulated that; Behavior should be studied at a local level; Learning can occur without reinforcement, Learning can occur without a change in behavior; Intervening variables must be considered; Behavior is purposive; Expectations of fact behavior; Learning results in an organized body of information (Cognitive Learning Theory, n.d) Gestalt psychology, Piagets developmental theory, Vygotskys developmental theory etc are some of the well known cognitive learning theories.

Gestalt psychologist emphasized the importance of organizational processes of perception, learning, and problem solving. They believed that individuals were predisposed to organize information in particular ways Piaget considered people as active processors of information. In his opinion, knowledge can be described in terms of structures that change with development and cognitive development results from the interactions that children have with their physical and social environments. Vygotskys developmental theory emphasized the importance of social activities in mental development.

He believed that children can often accomplish more difficult tasks when they have the assistance of other people more advanced and competent than themselves. (Cognitive Learning Theory, n.d) The propositional knowledge is the knowledge of facts that such and such is the case. For example, the knowledge that MS word is a product of Microsoft (which is evident from the name itself) is a propositional knowledge. Propositional