The Game-Changer for Learning: Situated Cognition
Have you ever wondered why some people seem to learn better in certain environments than others? The concept of situated cognition provides an answer to this question. Situated cognition is the idea that learning is influenced by the context and environment in which it occurs. In this article, we will explore how situated cognition works and why it can be a game-changer for learning.
What is Situated Cognition?
Situated cognition is a theory that suggests learning is not just a cognitive process that occurs in an individual’s brain but is rather influenced by the environment in which it occurs. According to this theory, learning is situated in the physical, social, cultural, and historical contexts in which it takes place.
For example, suppose a person is learning how to drive a car. In that case, the learning experience will depend on various context factors, such as the vehicle’s type, the road and traffic conditions, and the instructor’s teaching style, which will impact their learning outcome.
Similarly, in a classroom, the learning experience can be impacted by the physical environment, such as the seating arrangement, lighting, and noise level, and the social context, such as the teacher and other students.
Impact of Situated Cognition on Learning
Situated cognition emphasizes that learning is active and social, and the environment in which it takes place plays a vital role in shaping one’s knowledge and skills. In a traditional classroom setting, students are often passive recipients of information rather than active participants in the learning process. However, situated cognition suggests that students should be active participants in their own learning process and use real-world experiences to develop their knowledge and skills.
In Situated Cognition, the learning environment should be designed to allow for active participation, open exploration, and social interaction, allowing learners to interact with the material and gain a deeper understanding of it. By engaging with the material and working in a context relevant to their interests, learners can get a more profound understanding of the topic and their ability to transfer knowledge to new situations.
Cases of Situated Cognition in Everyday Life
Consider a person who loves cooking. They might have learned various cooking skills from their mother since their childhood but may have a better understanding of cooking when they take a cooking class that offers them the chance to learn while cooking instead of just reading a recipe.
Another example is that of a medical student who is taught to diagnose diseases not just from images in a book, but with the help of hands-on training in the presence of senior medical experts, which helps them understand diseases in a real-world context.
Conclusion
Situated cognition is a game-changer for learning as it emphasizes the importance of the environment and context in shaping an individual’s learning experience. When designing learning experiences, educators should consider the context and design the learning environment to allow for active exploration, social interaction, and meaningful experiences. By doing so, learners can gain a better understanding of the material and transfer their knowledge and skills to new situations.
