Cognitive Apprenticeship
Cognitive Apprenticeship
Cognitive Apprenticeship is an instructional model that emphasizes the process of teaching and learning through guided experiences. The model integrates cognitive and social elements by providing the students opportunities to observe, practice, and reflect on their situational thinking, which is necessary for their advancement in difficult tasks.
What are the key components of Cognitive Apprenticeship?
The cognitive apprenticeship model is composed of several components which are primarily based on modeling, coaching, scaffolding, articulation, reflection, and exploration. Take, for example, a programming language course where the teacher might, firstly, demonstrate problem-solving steps to the class, and then, throughout the lesson, coach students to try the same problems, scaffolding support for their learning. The approach provides a workflow that allows the students to master the cognitive skills and thus learn more deeply.
How does Cognitive Apprenticeship differ from traditional apprenticeship models?
Apprenticeship is primarily about practical skills and physical labor, while Cognitive Apprenticeship is about the mental processes related to those skills. For instance, in a typical carpentry shop, an apprentice may learn to use a saw, however, in a cognitive apprenticeship, he would also learn how to plan, trouble-shoot and modify a technique according to the issues encountered in a project; thus, integrating both skills and decision making.
What role does reflection play in Cognitive Apprenticeship?
Cognitive Apprenticeship consists of reflection and it is an essential part of the process because it makes the learners critically think about their experiences and understanding. For example, once a student finishes a project, he/she might carry on the post-mortem and discuss which strategies were better and which ones could be improved in the future. These actions will certainly provide them with a better understanding, and they will be the ones who also develop metacognitive skills which are very crucial for a lifetime of learning.
Can you provide an example of Cognitive Apprenticeship in action?
One real-world scenario that illustrates Cognitive Apprenticeship is the medical education where neophyte doctors attach themselves to more experienced doctors. At first, they are just spectators to clinical interactions (modeling), then they play the part of a co-worker under supervision (coaching), and finally, they start doing things independently. In the entire course of this work, they will (1) contemplate specific patient cases, and (2) provide reasons for their decisions to the mentors discussing thus facilitating deeper learning and the acquisition of critical clinical skills.