Cognitive Learning
Definition, Outcomes

Definition

The acquisition and processing of information about the environment
(i.e., the construction and organization of knowledge about the world).

 
Two possible alternative definitions:

a. Cognitive learning is organized knowledge.

b. Cognitive learning is the refining of knowledge by adding new information to prior knowledge.

 
What is Learned
(in Cognitive Learning)?
  
     
Cognitive Outcomes
Types of Knowledge
Types of Memory
     

Schemas
Schema Networks
Scripts
Hierarchican Categories
Cognitive Maps

Procedural knowledge
Declarative Knowledge
Conditional Knowledge

Semantic Memory
Episodic Memory



Cognitive Outcomes
Outcome Woolfolk Pages Definition
     
Schemas
250-251
 Organized cluster of knowledge about a particular topic.
An associative structure that stores knowledge organized around a particular topic, concept, object, event, or situation.
     
Schema Networks   Interrelated schemas joined together by shared links in which one cluster of knowledge (schema #1) is related to another cluster of knowledge (schema #2).
     
Scripts
251
 Ordered sequence of events for a common event or activity (i.e., understanding of the typical sequence of events at a restaurant, during a school day, ....)
     
Hierarchical Categories   Multilevel classification system based on common properties among items (e.g., types of schools, types of dogs, types of governments, types of trees)
     
Cognitive Maps   Mental representation of a physical environment (e.g., visually creating a mental map of the campus–where the library is, where the student union is, where your apartment is)


Types of Knowledge
Outcome Woolfolk Pages Definition
     
Procedural Knowledge
232 & 252
 Knowing how to perform an activity or task; knowing how to execute some skilled technique (e.g., how to sew, take picture w/ camera).
     
Declarative Knowledge
238, 260-263
 Knowing facts, definitions, names, rules, song lyrics.
     
Conditional Knowledge
251-252
 Knowing when to apply strategy #1 to solve a problem, and
when to apply strategy #2 (e.g., how to resolve a conflict, study for an exam, win a tennis match).


Types of Memory
Memory Woolfolk Pages Definition
     
Semantic Memory
247, 249-251

The meaning of words, concepts
(e.g., what is an elephant? What does the word hospital mean?)
     
Episodic Memory
251-252

Particular events (e.g., episodes) in one's life (e.g., what do you remember about your 1st driver's test? Your most recent date?)