Cognitivism replaced behaviorism in the 1960s and focuses on understanding mental processes. Jean Piaget developed the central thesis that children are active learners who develop self-centric theories about their environment based on personal interactions and schemes. Piaget proposed four stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. During development, children adapt, assimilate, and accommodate new knowledge to make sense of their environment. Classrooms can influence development by integrating technology, promoting student-teacher and student-student interaction, and using varied teaching methods.

1. Brandi W.
EME 2040

2. Cognitivism
 Replaced the idea of
behaviorism in the 1960s.
 All of the mental
processes need to be
understood.
 Learners need active
participation.
 Mind is similar to a
computer.

3. Jean Piaget
 Born in Switzerland in
1896.
 Believes children are
active learners.
 Developed central thesis
about children.
 Founder of Stage Theory
of Cognitive Development.

4. Central Thesis About
Children
 Develop self-centric theories about their
environment.
 Theories based on personal
interactions.
 Schemes used to gain information from
their environment
 Depth of cognitive structure grows as
the child grows.
* Schema: actions and responses to make
things happen

5. Cognitive Learning Theory
 Sensorimotor: (birth-2yrs old)
- Learning through sense and motor
actions
 Preoperational: (2-6/7yrs old)
- Use of symbols and images to learn
- imagination develops

6. Cognitive Learning Theory
 Concrete Operational: (6/7-11/12yrs old)
- Begin to think logically
- See other’s points of views
 Formal Operational: (11/12yrs old-adult)
- Thinking abstractly
- Understands cause and effect
- Establishes own beliefs and morals

7. During a Childs
development
 While learning children develop:
- Adaptation: Cognitive understanding
- Assimilation: New knowledge as
they experience new things
- Accommodation: Uses information
in life to change their knowledge base
- to help make sense of
environment

8. Classroom Influence
 Integration of technology in
the classroom
 Interaction in the learning
process:
- students and teachers
- students and students
 Using different ways to reach out to all
types of learners

9. Credits
 http://www.learning-
theories.com/cognitivism.html
 http://e-
learningactive.blogspot.com/2013/07/learning-
theory-cognitivism.html (image)
 http://www.nndb.com/people/359/000094077/
 http://www.ehow.com/info_7943130_classroo
m-using-piaget-learning-theories.html (image)
 “Teachers Discovering Computers Integrating
Technology in a Connected World” Shelly,
Gunter, Gunter