Cognitivism and Connectivism
Cognitivism and Connectivism in Business Simulations
Learning Scenario
​
These learning scenarios will be based on the use of gamification for online learning in a business strategy course. Adding to the original behaviorism and constructivism scenarios, this incorporates learning objectives driven by the theories of cognitivism and connectivism.
Applying Cognitivism learning theory:
Business simulations are high cognitive load activities. To prevent cognitive overload, the instructor breaks the simulation activities into weekly rounds that span several weeks. Each week, simulation activities are similar in scope and nature. This allows learners to use and store information in short-term memory repeatedly every week. Throughout the different weekly rounds, important information is gradually transferred from short-term memory into long-term memory. To support the learning process, the instructor provides weekly videos and audio lectures explaining that, each week, the focus will be on applying one specific course theory per simulation round.
Applying Connectivism learning theory:
Learners will make decisions individually and as part of a team (group of company co-managers). This facilitates learning through networks and connections. Learners are active and engaged and have up-to-date easy access to all the necessary information. This is available through the simulation website, where learners work together simultaneously in collaboration mode, making decisions and sharing content and sources through self-directed learning.
​
Applying Learning Theories to a Learning Experiences: Managing across different cultures
​
Learning Scenario
​
This learning experience was during college. Topic was taught by a college professor in a comparative management course. The information was shared via anecdotes from the professor and classmates from different countries, watching videos, having guest speakers discuss their experiences managing in different countries and cultures and through role playing exercises. The learnings were about cultures from different countries and how cultural differences impact management practices.
Why is this an example of Cognitivism learning theory?
-This course builds on undergraduate business students’ previous knowledge of U.S. management practices. It has an organized structure of learning based on processing new information in short-term memory and saving it into long-term memory by repetition and comparisons, making connections and sharing what they bring to the learning situation, looking for patterns and relationships among pieces of information to integrate and make meaning to new learnings.
-Cognitive Structures are the basic mental processes people use to make sense of information. Garner (2007) identifies “comparative thinking structures” as foundational to learning. “Comparative thinking processes information by identifying how bits of data are alike and different. The mental processes include recognition, memorization, conservation of constancies, classification, spatial orientation, temporal orientation, and metaphorical thinking”.
​
Garner, B. (2007). Getting to "Got It!" Chapter 1. Cognitive Structures: What They Are and Why They Matter. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/107024/chapters/Cognitive-Structures@-What-They-Are-and-Why-They-Matter.aspx
​