A Learner’s Guide towards Learning and Developing Education
Cognitive Development
Summary of Cognitive Development
Based on research done on the brain it has become evident how cognitive development has an important role for a student’s learning experience. This is due to the recognition of three components of human learning that have been explored through neuroscience and cognitive science, which are:
1) Changes made in the brain’s physical structure.
2) Altered changes within the functional organization of the brain.
3) Different parts of the brain develop at different times in life (Bransford, Brown, and Cocking, 2004).
The brain develops as a person matures, which in turn makes it important for students to be learning in a healthy environment to improve cognitive growth. The most crucial moment for cognitive development comes in form of three mental components, which are: “assimilation, accommodation and equilibrium”. These components are necessary for students to achieve a balanced cognitive development. It is because of this period of cognitive development that has raised the need to help teenagers develop their mental capabilities (Bhattacharya and Han, 2012).
At the same time it also important to address an important theory for cognitive development. That said theory is known as “Piaget theory”, which is composed of two principles that guide “intellectual growth and biological development” (Bhattacharya and Han, 2012). The first principle addresses how it is important for teenagers to develop their mental stimuli while going through physically development, which is done through the assimilation and accommodations made towards external information. The second principle is the organization of one’s mental structures, which suggest how important it is to ensure that teenagers integrate complex information in the best way possible (Bhattacharya and Han, 2012).
The need to address cognitive development has also begun to influence teachers and how they are required to provide an effective educational experience for all. Teachers are required to reflect on the teaching and learning models in the classroom environment. They need to be ready to adapt their teaching strategies to best suit the students’ learning needs while the latter is becoming more developed.
The following teaching strategies and digital tool are to serve as examples as to how teachers may support students in healthy cognitive development.
Teaching Strategies
Digital Tool
References
Collaborative Learning: This form of learning can provide the opportunity to expand one one’s cognitive learning. In fact, it is argued that collaborative learning “provides the brain with the means to explore new information, typically in a problem-solving situation” (Townsend). At the same time students can share their knowledge with others, while incorporating ideas and opinions from their classmates.
Problem-Based Learning: This style of learning encourages students to think for themselves when completing an assignment without any instructions provided. When completing an assignment on a particular subject, students are provided the opportunity to demonstrate what they know about the topic. It also allows them to understand what is required of them in order to solve the problem, while developing important life skills such as processing information.
Observational Learning: This particular learning style is based on how behaviour changes based on learning from a particular situation. Students can use to this learn and adopt certain characteristics based on the situation they in. This is beneficial to cognitive development because students can develop skills that allows them integrate desirable traits into their life, while remaining aware of characteristics that they should avoid.
Bhattacharya, K. & Han, S. (2012). Piaget's Constructivism. Retrieved October 17, 2015 from http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Piaget%27s_Constructivism
Bransford, J. D., Brown, A. L., & Rodney R. Cocking, R. R. (2004). How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School. Washinton D.C.: National Academy Press
Piktochart (2015) Our Story. Retrieved November 7, 2015 from http://piktochart.com/our-story/
Townsend, D (e.d.). Brain-Based Learning. Alberta: University of Lethbridge.
Piktochart - http://piktochart.com/
"Piktochart" is a website that allows users to create digital posters and other visual infographics. This tool has been known to be an effective means of engaging students, as it allows them to create “stunning presentations” for their assignments, while utilizing it for “non-profit” causes (Piktochart, 2015).
"Piktochart" can be useful in terms of creating a visual representation of how the cognitive components of a human being are developed. This includes creating posters that show what influences mental growth of teenagers and adolescents when they go through significant developments. It is through Piktochart that learners can create an introduction to cognitive development with visual imagery.
(The stages mentioned above are part of Piaget's theory on Cognitive Development)