What Are Cognitive Skills & How do you Teach Them?

Summary

The transcript highlights the difference between cognition and content, focusing on how students learn cognitive skills such as creative and critical thinking. These skills involve analyzing, synthesizing, and clearly communicating information. The speaker emphasizes that cognitive abilities, like physical skills, require practice to develop. To become proficient, students must engage in repeated exercises that challenge them to think critically and creatively, while also honing their communication abilities. Just like learning to ride a bike, mastering cognitive skills takes hands-on experience and consistent practice.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Cognition is distinct from content and focuses on how students learn.
• 🎨 Cognitive skills include creative and critical thinking, as well as analytical skills.
• 🔍 These skills help students break down information and synthesize complex concepts into simpler forms.
• 🗣️ Clear communication is essential to effectively convey the outcomes of cognitive processes.
• 🚲 Cognitive skills are like physical skills: they require practice to become effective.
• 🔄 Repeated practice is essential for students to become proficient in cognitive skills.
• 💡 Cognitive skills aren't just understood through explanation—they must be actively applied.
• ✍️ Students need assignments that encourage creative and critical thinking to develop these skills.
• 📚 Regular encounters with tasks that require cognitive effort help solidify these skills.
• 💬 Effective cognition involves both internal thought and external communication of ideas.

Q & A

What is the key distinction highlighted in the script between cognition and content?

The distinction between cognition and content is that cognition refers to cognitive skills like creative and critical thinking, which involve working with and analyzing information, while content is the information or knowledge itself.

What are examples of cognitive skills mentioned in the transcript?

The transcript mentions cognitive skills like creative thought, critical thought, the ability to analyze and break down information, and the ability to synthesize larger ideas into smaller, more understandable representations.

Why are cognitive skills compared to physical skills like riding a bike?

Cognitive skills are compared to physical skills like riding a bike because both require practice to become proficient. Just as hearing instructions is not enough to learn to ride a bike, understanding cognitive concepts is not enough; students need repeated practice to master these skills.

Why is it important for students to practice cognitive skills regularly?

It is important for students to practice cognitive skills regularly because these skills, like any others, require practice to develop. Repeated practice allows students to become more fluid and effective in their thinking processes.

What role does communication play in the use of cognitive skills?

Communication plays a crucial role in cognitive skills because even if students develop strong thinking skills, these skills are ineffective if they cannot communicate their thoughts clearly to others.

How does the script suggest cognitive skills can be developed in students?

The script suggests that cognitive skills can be developed in students through repeated practice and assignments that require them to think critically or creatively and to communicate those thoughts regularly.

What analogy is used to describe the process of becoming effective in cognitive skills?

The analogy used is that becoming effective in cognitive skills is similar to learning to ride a bike. Just as practice is necessary to become skilled at riding, practice is also needed to develop cognitive skills.

Why is it not enough to simply hear about cognitive skills to master them?

It is not enough to simply hear about cognitive skills because, like physical skills, mastery requires doing. Students need to engage in tasks that challenge their thinking to become effective in using cognitive skills.

What are some tasks that help students practice cognitive skills?

Tasks that help students practice cognitive skills include assignments that require creative thinking, critical analysis, synthesis of information, and clear communication of their thoughts.

What is the overall message about learning cognitive skills in the transcript?

The overall message is that cognitive skills are crucial for students to develop, but they require regular practice through challenging tasks, much like physical skills, to become proficient and useful in real-world situations.