1.0 INTRODUCTION
Learning can happen in different ways. One of the ways is when we share
our lessons with others and they can learn. Learning also happens by
experience, change in behaviour and test
our hypothesis. Learning can occur consciously or unconsciously.
According to Peter (2001) “theory is a set of interrelated and
interdependent principles that are designed to explain phenomena of interest.
Specifically, a theory of human learning would combine principles of human
memory, behaviour, and learn in order to
explain and predict human thought and action”.
Learning theory (2017, September) is defined as a conceptual framework
describing how knowledge is absorbed, processed, and retained during learning.
Explorable (n.d.) stated that Cognitive learning theory explains why the brain is the most
incredible network of information processing and interpretation in the body as
we learn things.
The cognitive learning theory is one of learning
theories that apply in a classroom. The theory focuses on thinking. It involves
how our mental gain, store, memories and applies the knowledge in daily
activities. Cognitive psychologists believe that learning involves mental
process of perception and conceptual development. The theory has several types.
There are:
- Gestalt's learning theory
- Information processing model
- Gagne's learning theory
- Ausebel's
learning theory
- Bruner's learning theory
- Constructivism learning theory
Nowadays, the teachers in Malaysia emphasis on constructivism learning
theory which is this approach believes that students can build their own
knowledge or concept actively based on their existing knowledge or experience.
So, this approach is based on the learners as central while, the teachers as
facilitators.
2.0 THE SIGNIFICANT OF THE COGNITIVE LEARNING THEORY
The cognitive
learning theory uses mental or brain to obtain, store, memorise, process and apply the information or knowledge.
When the students use it in the learning process, means they have exercised
their brain. The exercise helps our mind to be better and sharper. So, this
situation will improve its ability to understand, memorise, store, think, calculate and process the information. It
is supported by Scientific American (2017) which stated that research shows that when we exercise, blood pressure and
blood flow increase everywhere in the body, including the brain. More blood
means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brain perform better.
Information processing
model involves of mental activities to receive, memorise
and produce information. The students who have a long-term memory can recall the knowledge when they want to use it
in future. However, teachers must be creative in the teaching process. That is because they can process a limited amount
of information in certain times whereas, they need to use in future. So,
creativity makes them remember in a long time. It is supported by information
processing model which, Woolfolk (1998) stated that the humans’ activities
related to receiving, memorising and
producing information. For example, a teacher asks them to act by using passive
words. So, they have to understand the passive voice first before making a
dialog. The practices make them more understand and remember it in a long time.
Whereas, the audience will pay more attention because they are
interested to see their friends act.
Gagne's learning theory introduce
how to use the principle, formula, generalisation
and concept in solve problems. So, it helps help them to solve problems effectively.
Before they make a decision, they have to follow the steps:
·
identify the problems
·
seek information
·
identify potential solutions
·
choose an alternative
·
implement the plan
·
evaluate outcomes
They have
to follow all the steps of decision making by using their healthy brain. The
healthy brain is essential to make sure they can think rationally and make a
relevant and effective decision.
Learning process also involves in decision making. For example, there are
many calculations in Mathematics that needs problem-solving. Below is an
example of question involves in problem-solving:
The ratio of number of boys and
girls is 5:3. If there are 18 girls, find the number of boys in the class and
the total number of students in the class.
The
constructivism learning theory cultivates them to be an active student. The
active students are always increasing their knowledge. They can find the
knowledge themselves and rarely depend on teachers or others. They are able to
settle problems themselves. They can choose the best option for solving the problem.
They can make own decision to achieve their targets because they can think
rationally and can evaluate possible targets. They also can choose the best for
them in any aspects of lives because this
theory makes them be a mature person which can plan their own
future. Besides, they are intelligent in choosing important information in
teaching and learning process. They know which information is relevant and
important.
The constructivism
learning theory also cultivates them to be independent people and not depend on
their teacher only. That is because this theory encourages them to explore and
construct knowledge themselves and not receive 100% from their teacher. In this
situation enables the teacher to organise
activities in their classroom and he or she can focus more on teaching than
educate students' behaviour. Besides,
they can improve their academic performance themselves because they have
motivated to work hard to achieve what they want.
3.0 THE WAYS COGNITIVE LEARNING THEORY CONTRIBUTES TO THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS IN MATHEMATICS
According to Elaine (2013), “mathematics
is the science that deals with the logic of shape, quantity, and arrangement”. We have learned
Mathematics informally at home with our parents before we went to a
school. Our parents tough about numbers, addition and subtraction. Then, when
we went to a school, our teachers tough
new knowledge and more detail. So, we have combined the new knowledge with the
existing knowledge and experience stored in long-term memory. This learning
process involves a change in one cognitive structure. It becomes meaningful
when it is connected to what we have known.
The Gagne's learning theory introduces the concept of decision making
which we use in teaching and learning of mathematics. In this situation, the
teachers help the students in construct a deep understanding of mathematical
concepts. Example of mathematics question:
m + 2 – m
– 3 = 4
2 5
What is the value of m?
This
question needs them to explore, calculate and solve
the problem to find the value of m.
Ministry of Education
Malaysia has set up a guideline that they need to learn this subject since
kindergarten. The guideline is produced suitable for brain development and
growth which is, it emphasizes on a basic first. This guideline is supported by
Gagne’s learning theory which the teachers have to teach the basic or the
easiest first before they teach high order skills. For example, the students
have to know numbers first then, simple calculations like addition,
subtraction, multiplication and
distribution. After that, they learn a high level of calculations.
Certain topics in Mathematics need them to memorise formulas and apply it in the different
situation either in examination or daily lives. This is parallel with the
theory wanted. Example of mathematics question:
The
diagram shown a composite solid formed by the combination of a cylindrical
solid with a base diameter of 8cm and a height of 20 cm and a cone that has a
slant height of 12cm. calculate the volume of the combined solid in cm3.
 |
The question above needs them to apply the formulas of volume for solid cylinder and cone that they have memorised, to find the volume of the combined solid.
Mathematics concepts are related each other.
Every basic of the mathematics concepts have a relationship with the higher
level of mathematics concept. So, it is easy to the
students to learn a new concept if they master the basics. This is one of the
ways that the Gagne’s learning theory helps them to learn the new knowledge.
For example, if they have mastered in addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division, they can learn fraction easily because it has a relationship with the
four topics. Another example, formula for area and volume are quite same. If
they have mastered in the area, they have
no problem to learn volume because they have a relationship with shapes.
Ausebel’s learning theory claims that learning should develop from
general to specific or from principle to example. That is what we have been
implementing in Malaysia. For example, in the teaching area, the teachers
explain the principles and formulas first before giving example. In explain about numbers, they explain about
number one first before explains about number 100.
The constructivism learning theory encourages the students to give an
opinion. It is supported by Khadijah Rohani Mohd Yunus, Mahani Razali and
Ramlah Jantan (2008, December), “learning and teaching using constructivism approach can be implemented by
focusing on these issues:
(i) Let students give their opinion about a concept”
However,
the motives will not achieve when they are silent and shy to talk and give
their opinion. Sometimes, they think their opinions are stupid. So, they have
no confidence to talk. They learn in anxiety. This situation happens seriously
when there are many intelligence students in the class. The teachers will face
a hard situation to create environment or activities that encourage them to
talk.
Our feeling can change anytime, happy, sad, cheerful or angry. When they
are in bad mood, they will not give more attention to the lesson. Their brain
cannot focus on all information. Their brain may process half of the
information. That is cognitive learning theory which emphasizes on brain and
mind. In this situation, the learning and teaching process cannot achieve the
targets. So, even though the teachers try to do the best but, it is nothing
when the students do not give full attention. Teaching and learning process
will be a success when both of them give full cooperation.
The constructivism learning theory also encourages the students to work
in a group. However, there are some of the students do not like it. That is
because they think work in the group will waste their time. If they work alone,
they can make a decision and finish the task quickly because they can make a decision without asking anyone. Sometimes, some
of the group members like to take advantage by not giving cooperation in the
group discussion, do not do the tasks given and do not show up.
The teachers will face a hard situation when they teach something that
does not connect with the old knowledge or students’ experience because they do
not have any background about it and their minds are zero. They need more time
and explanation from the teachers. Certain students still cannot understand and
ask their friends or another teacher from another institution to describe
clearly. For example, a student who was born in a family who never speak English
at home will have a hard situation when they have to learn the language at
school.
5.0 THE WAYS THAT CAN BE TAKEN BY THE TEACHERS IN SOLVING THE PROBLEMS FACED IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS
Certain
students are hard to talk and give an opinion as the
constructivism learning theory wants.
However, they can use the theory too to settle the problem. The teachers can
use the persuasive method and appreciate all students' input. They have to
encourage them to give the first opinion while the teachers have to respond in
a positive way. The first opinion will encourage them to give other opinions in
future. It is supported by Marilla (2001) who stated that one easy first
strategy rests on the principle of early success: if the students are given an opportunity to provide early feedback and
they see that their feedback is acted on in a positive way, that early success
signals to them that this particular instructor is
serious about feedback.
Bad mood will effect of teaching and learning process. It also effects to
their brain to process information. The learning cognitive theory emphasizes on
brain first. So, one of the ways that the teachers can do to reduce the bad
mood is by reducing their stress on brain and feeling. It can do by creating
something funny which can attract their attention to make them laugh, happy and
cheerful. These positive attitudes will forget the causes of a bad mood. The
teachers have to start their class with a cheerful environment to avoid student
from boring and stress. Tackle their attention is important in teaching and
learning process to achieve its objective.
Work in the group is one of the teaching and learning processes that do
not like the students. It gives many benefits to them to cultivate good values.
It is supported by Deakin University (2017) which explain that the ability to
listen to others, to negotiate and collaborate will help you not only in your
studies but in your career and life in general. You’ll not only learn how to
communicate your ideas concisely but also how to take into account and
incorporate other people’s ideas. This opinion is
supported by social cognitive theory too which social influence in the learning
process. So, the teachers have found the best ways to overcome the problem. The
teachers can ask them to choose their partners. When they work with
their close partners, they may give more cooperation and negotiation because
they are compatible each other. The teachers also can divide the tasks suitable
for their interests, skills, and abilities. This situation can avoid them to be
a sleeping partner. However, the teachers cannot arrange the group by a
multi-level grouping of stronger and weaker students because they cannot
produce what the teachers hope for. The stronger will dominant the group while, the weaker will be a passive member.
When the teachers want to teach a new knowledge and do not relate to the
existing knowledge of students, they have to make more preparation. They have
to find the easiest way to deliver the knowledge and to make sure the students
can understand. They can use simple or kid language. They also can create
activities which connect to the students’ experience
to make them easier to understand. It is supported by the Ausebel’s learning theory which emphasises that the students have to learn the
easiest first before learn the difficult one.
In
conclusion, the brain is the most powerful organ in a human body. It produces memory, though,
feeling, experience and action. We can do anything properly because of it. It
is still active even
though we sleep.
The cognitive learning theory has many advantages for the
students. Some of them, they can solve problems rationally, store a large
amount of information, recall the information needed, analyse information and organize though. So, they can use
these advantages to focus on the outcome of the learning process and encourage
understanding,
The constructivism learning theory
gives chances to the students to build positive characters like active,
independent, creative, innovative, confidence and build social skills. Ministry
of Education Malaysia hopes the characters and social skills will help them not
only in learning and teaching process but can implement them anywhere. Even
though there are many challenges in implementing this theory but the teachers
have to do the best because there are many positive effects will produce.
Even though this theory is
considering as the best theory now, but we do know what will happen in future.
Time is always changing, so do the students. So, the teachers have to be
creative, sensitive with the changing and use the most creative teaching and
learning methods to tackle them.
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