The Cool Uses of Technology to Support the Cognitive Learning Theory

The Cognitive Learning Theory is, put simply, a process; you take in data, contemplate it, put it in a mental storage box with a big label on it to easily find it later. Here's a simple example: I enjoy the t.v. show "House". It comes on USA, channel 30 (the data). It is always on channel 30 (contemplation). I associate "30" with "House", with the enjoyment I get from watching Dr. House act unprofessional, and with relaxing after a long day (storage and recall).

Implementing the cognitive theory in the classroom using technology can be a highly powerful tool in helping students to actually process the information that is given to them, allowing for students to remember more of what is required. Several of the ideas given to implement the cognitive theory to help students learn data seem like great tools to use in the classroom. Dr. Michael Orey, of the University of Georgia, discusses how virtual field trips enable students to create episodic memory of information that is typically dull. This idea is wonderful, and as a teacher of Georgia history, I would love to find and create virtual field trips to help students connect with places when they cannot physically go. Another activity that I think would be especially beneficial, and fun, for students would be for them to create a "teaser" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, Malenoski, 2007, p.129) using a wiki for collaboration and the Windows Movie Maker application for the actual teaser. Both the virtual field trip and the "teaser" would be great ways for students to make connections and cognitive maps with information, incorporate Paivio's dual coding via video clips and pictures to help create larger and more definitive connections to the material, and would give them the episodic experience of actually working with the information, not simply having to swallow it.

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.