Cognitive Principles in eLearning Design
The Science of Learning
Designing effective eLearning courses involves understanding how people learn and process information.
How people learn is a complex subject that's been studied from various perspectives, including psychology, neuroscience, and education.
Several theories have emerged to explain the process, but some key elements are commonly accepted. Here are a few of them:
Learning is an Active Process, according to the constructivist theory of learning, people don't passively absorb information; they actively construct knowledge by connecting new information to existing knowledge.
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that learners move through different stages as they grow, each characterized by the development of new cognitive skills. The four stages are Sensorimotor, Pre-operational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.
Albert Bandura's social learning theory suggests that people learn by observing others. This means learning can occur through modeling, imitation, and observation.
According to David Kolb's experiential learning theory, people learn best through experience. This involves a cycle of experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and acting.
Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences proposes that people have different types of intelligences, like linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalist. Individuals may learn better in different ways depending on their unique blend of these intelligences.
Cognitive principles can guide the creation of more effective eLearning content:
Cognitive Load Theory:
People's working memory is limited, so instructional design should avoid overloading it. To minimize cognitive load, information should be presented in a structured, organized manner. Complex tasks should be broken down into manageable parts : nano of Micro Learning.
Information should be always broken down into small, digestible "chunks" to avoid overwhelming the learner. This helps the learner to better absorb and remember information.
Dual Coding Theory:
This principle suggests that people learn better when information is presented in both visual and verbal formats. This doesn't mean simply adding text to images, but rather using both modalities to reinforce and complement each other.
LMSs with Authoring Tool offer this mix of medias to better memorize the information. A Audio and video-based LMS like the Learning Lab LMS is best adapted to this practice.
Multimedia Principle:
People learn more deeply from words and pictures or better videos than from words alone. Using multimedia (audio, visual, video and textual content) can enhance learning by catering to different learning styles and providing multiple representations of the information. It is difficult to learn online so any text should be transformed onto audio files.
Spacing Effect:
Information is better remembered if exposure to it is distributed over a long time span rather than being concentrated in a short time. In eLearning design, this could mean spreading learning modules over several days or weeks rather than condensing them into a single intensive session.
So consider presenting the same information in different formats to make it easier to understand and remember. This technic can be easily achieved with our Authoring Tool the Slide Builder. We offer a large variety of already design templates.
Retrieval Practice:
Testing learners on material helps to improve their memory of it. This could involve quizzes, tests, or other forms of assessment at regular intervals during the course.
It is also important to incorporate activities, experiments and questions into the lessons to create emotions that will help engrave the information in the learner's memory.
Interleaved Practice:
Mixing different kinds of problems or topics can enhance learning. Instead of focusing on one topic until it's mastered before moving on to the next, learners switch between topics. This encourages learners to discern the differences and similarities between topics, which promotes deeper understanding.
Elaboration:
Encouraging learners to connect new information to what they already know can facilitate learning. This can be achieved through activities like discussions, assignments, and reflection. Also consolidation knowledge is the best path to the expertise!
Feedback and Reinforcement:
Prompt and specific feedback is essential to learning. It helps learners correct their misconceptions, reinforce their knowledge, and motivate them to continue learning.
Celebrate progresses and achievements with awards, badges or certifications! Students need to be encouraged and supported.
Personalization Principle:
Learners are more likely to engage with material if it is personalized and relevant to them. This could involve using their name, referring to their past experiences, or presenting content that is applicable to their own lives or goals.
5E's Model
Also a commonly used instructional design framework known as the "5E's Model", while not directly termed as "Cognitive Principles", represents key phases of learning which draw from our understanding of cognitive processes. Let's take a closer look at the 5E's:
Engagement:
This phase is designed to capture the learners' attention and stimulate their interest in the topic at hand. It often involves presenting a problem or scenario that encourages learners to tap into their prior knowledge or identify gaps in their understanding.
The idea is to keep the lesson very connected with the real professional challenges.
Exploration:
Learners are given time to explore the concept or skill being taught. This often involves interactive activities, discussions, or hands-on exercises that allow learners to investigate the topic further and begin developing their understanding.
Social and peer and peer to peer learning is key!
Explanation:
At this stage, the instructor provides an explanation or demonstration of the concept or skill. This is where learners receive new information, often involving multimedia presentations, lectures, readings, or other forms of direct instruction.
Adopt Audio or Video Based Learning for an optimum learning experience! Remember that it is difficult to read online!
Elaboration:
Also known as "Extend" in some versions of the model, this phase involves learners deepening their understanding of the topic by applying what they've learned in new contexts. They might solve complex problems, conduct projects, participate in simulations, or engage in other tasks that push them to expand upon their initial understanding.
Adapt Video assessment and Blended Learning
Evaluation:
The final phase involves assessing learners' understanding of the topic. This can take many forms, including quizzes, tests, projects, presentations, or even self-assessment activities. The evaluation phase helps learners and instructors alike to see how well the learning objectives have been met.
Be creative and experiment! Quizzes are not only made to evaluate but also as a learning process!
These 5E's – Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation – are based on constructivist learning theory, which emphasizes that learning is an active process in which learners construct new ideas or concepts based on their existing knowledge.
This framework aligns well with cognitive principles because it takes into account how learners process and assimilate new information.