Cognitive Processes and Learning
Overview
All of us are continually taking in sensory information and processing that information to make sense of the world around us. These cognitive processes are critical to learning and demonstrating knowledge. Some students struggle with different processing tasks. Teachers can help by providing supports and tools during instruction that target some of these learning cognitive processes, such as sensory input (how we take in information), information integration (how we process and integrate information), memory (processing sensory input and information integration), and output (how we share information). Students differ widely in skills and abilities in these areas, but providing tools and strategies during instruction and teaching students how to use these tools and strategies independently can help all students.
This tutorial is part of a series of online modules on Classroom Learning Strategies. Each module is designed to be completed within an hour, with an optional on-the-job activity that can be used as a follow-up implementation. The information provided is intentionally short and focused to help teachers and students quickly explore solutions.
The main sections of this module are:
- Overview - The overview provides a quick introduction to the content.
- Activities - The activities contain the primary module content with resources to explore. Participants should explore all activity areas.
- Classroom Implementation - This section includes ideas on using tools and resources in the classroom.
Module Objectives - Participants will:
- identify strategies to support input, integration, and output cognitive processing.
- identify strategies students can use to scaffold input, integration, and output cognitive processing.
Activities - Click on each section to explore further.
Input - Visual/Auditory - Identify ways to support visual, auditory, and tactile input processing that can affect learning and academic achievement.- Recognizing size, shape, and placement of text
- Recognizing line and paragraph typography
- Distinguishing subtle differences in sounds
- Distinguishing figure and background sounds
- Recognizing connections between physical shapes, tactile input, and knowledge
Integration - Explore ways to support students in analyzing information and integrating it with additional or prior knowledge.- Sequencing, ordering, and relating information
- Abstraction, inferring meaning
- Generalizing a text
Memory - Find out why some students have problems remembering instructional content and how you can help improve memory skills.- Working memory
- Long-term potentiation
- Long-term depression
Output - Discover processes that can help students prepare and then share what they know.- Spontaneous language: self-selecting, relating, and organizing thoughts
- Demand language: self-selecting, relating, and organizing thoughts
Classroom Implementation
You need to have tools and resources available in the classroom and in your instructional materials to be able to support students in the areas of input, integration, memory, and output. Download this survey and do a self-assessment to see what tools and resources you have available as well as how much choice students have in choosing those tools independently.
cognition resources.pdf
This resource was funded through the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services with IDEA Part B dollars. The information and resources are provided as a free awareness service to the educational community and do not reflect any specific endorsement by any parties involved.
Technology & Learning Connections Teamhttp://www.tlc-mtss.com