EDU 510 The Cognitive Science of Teaching & Learning
Course reflection
EDU 510 is a course that mainly focuses on the science behind learning. The professor introduced the topic of cognitive science at the beginning of the course, and it remained relevant throughout all of the unit studies. Cognitive science refers to studying how the mind works and processes input, including how the brain functions regarding learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Several theorists, such as Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and others, mainly studied cognitive science and explained how or when learning development occurs. As an educator, I learned much from my research on cognitive science, which has been beneficial in planning lessons, assessments, and strategies for learning.
​
Jean Piaget, one of the theorists mentioned earlier, impacted my understanding of children's development and learning. He developed the theory of cognitive development, which proposes four stages of development. The four stages of development in Piaget's theory are the Sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years), the Preoperational stage (2 to 7 years), the Concrete operational stage (7 to 11 years), and the Formal operational stage (ages 12 and up) (McLeod, S. (2018). Comprehending the four stages of development helped me identify and understand students' needs and development in learning, which is vital for educators.
Most students I worked with were between the ages of three and seven, so the Preoperational stage of development stood out the most to me. In this stage, young children acquire the ability to represent the world through language and mental imagery internally. They are unable to think logically but rather symbolically. During the end of this stage, children can mentally represent events and objects and engage in symbolic play (McLeod, S. 2018). As a homeschool educator of my preschool children, I created a welcoming space that provides hands-on activities (dramatic play, art area, music area, books, and pictures) that will encourage them to interact with the environment and resources and provide appropriate learning experiences to stimulate their thinking, promote problem-solving and encourage imaginative play to represent objects and ideas. "Pretend play encourages the freedom to take risks. Subsequently, those risks are essential to gaining independence and becoming critical thinkers" (6 Benefits of Imaginative Play, Why It's so Important, n.d.). Role-play activities help children practice their problem-solving skills. Allowing children to engage in fantasy play for pure fun is essential.
​
​
Understanding how the mind works is vital, especially when working with children. As I continue on the path of education, it is essential that I apply what I have learned about cognitive science in my unit studies and lesson plans. I plan to add images and words throughout the environment to give students access to vocabulary and concepts, which will help with word recollection. Adding print with pictures can help students recognize that words have meaning and encourage and strengthen writing skills. "Images and media are powerful communication devices. They are useful for conveying concepts and information, and they can help improve comprehension by reinforcing information provided in text" (Use Images and Media to Enhance Understanding, n.d.).
In conclusion, having a welcoming and conducive environment helps foster students' motivation and engagement and promotes learning. It can also help students learn the 'Game of Learning.' Students can learn to look for personal connections, reach out for a challenge that is neither frustrating nor boring, and persist and relish incremental progress rather than expecting everything to fall into place all at once (Perkings, D.N. (2009). Setting up the environment can positively affect students' performance and improve learning.
References
6 Benefits Of Imaginative Play | Why It's So Important. (n.d.). Discovery Building Sets.
McLeod, S. (2018). Jean Piaget's Theory and Stages of Cognitive Development. Simply Psychology.
Perkins, D. N. (2009). Making learning whole: How seven principles of teaching can transform education. Jossey-Bass.
Use images and media to enhance understanding. (n.d.). Accessibility.huit.harvard.edu.