what is cognitivism?
It is a theory that focuses on how people think, remember, and understand information.
Who are some famous cognitivist theorists?
Jean Piaget and Jerome Bruner.
What is the main focus of cognitivism in teaching?
Helping students process and organize information in their minds.
What does “chunking” mean in learning?
Breaking information into small, easier-to-remember parts.
Name two teaching strategies based on cognitivism.
Mind mapping and chunking information.
How does cognitivism differ from behaviorism?
Cognitivism focuses on internal thinking; behaviorism focuses on external actions and rewards.
What is the role of the learner in cognitivism?
The learner thinks actively and connects new information to what they already know.
What is prior knowledge?
Knowledge you already have that helps you understand new information.
Why is understanding better than memorizing?
Because it helps apply knowledge in new situations, not just recall facts.
Why does the mind forget some information?
If it is not understood, repeated, or connected to prior knowledge.
Why is attention important in the cognitive learning process?
Attention matters because without it, new information can’t be processed or learned.
Why should a teacher check students’ understanding before teaching a grammar rule?
To make sure students grasp the meaning behind the rule, so the grammar makes sense and is used correctly.
Why is connecting new ideas to old ideas important in learning?
Because it helps the brain understand, organize, and remember information more effectively.
Explain how encoding, storage, and retrieval work together in the cognitive learning process.
Encoding stores information in long-term memory, and retrieval brings it back when needed.
Why does discovering grammar rules (instead of being told them) lead to deeper learning?
Because students actively think, analyze patterns, and form their own conclusions, which strengthens memory and comprehension.
What does Cognitivism say real learning depends on?
Real learning happens through deep understanding, not memorizing facts.
What role do mental processes play in problem-solving?
They help analyze, organize, and use information to find solutions.
Why is “concept before language form” essential for advanced grammar teaching?
Because students must understand the idea (time, condition, intention, probability, etc.) before they can correctly use the grammar structure that expresses it.
What is one example of a classroom activity where students need to think to understand something?
A discovery activity where students analyze example sentences and infer the grammar rule instead of being told it directly.
Why is scaffolding an effective teaching strategy?
It provides support for learners until they can perform independently, building understanding gradually.