Describe a Cognitive Apprenticeship, and Identify at Least Five Features

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is A cognitive apprenticeship is a learning model that focuses on the development of cognitive skills through hands-on experience and guidance from a more experienced individual. This approach is based on the idea that learning is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about developing the ability to think and problem-solve in a particular domain.

Five features that effective cognitive apprenticeships are likely to have include:

1. Scaffolding: Effective cognitive apprenticeships provide structured support and guidance to learners as they engage in authentic tasks. This scaffolding helps learners gradually build their skills and understanding, allowing them to take on more complex challenges over time.

2. Modeling: In a cognitive apprenticeship, the expert or mentor demonstrates the cognitive processes and strategies involved in a particular task or problem. This modeling helps learners understand how to approach and tackle similar challenges themselves.

3. Coaching: Mentors in cognitive apprenticeships provide ongoing feedback and encouragement to learners, helping them reflect on their own thinking and problem-solving processes. This coaching helps learners develop metacognitive skills and self-regulation.

4. Articulation: Effective cognitive apprenticeships encourage learners to articulate their thought processes and reasoning as they work through tasks. This verbalization helps learners clarify their understanding and allows mentors to provide targeted support and feedback.

5. Reflection: Cognitive apprenticeships emphasize the importance of reflection on learning experiences. Learners are encouraged to think critically about their own thinking and problem-solving, identifying areas for improvement and setting goals for further development.

To illustrate these features, consider a cognitive apprenticeship in a scientific research lab. A novice researcher works alongside an experienced scientist, who provides scaffolding by breaking down complex research tasks into manageable steps. The mentor models effective research strategies and problem-solving approaches, while also coaching the novice through experiments and data analysis. The novice articulates their reasoning and hypotheses to the mentor, who provides feedback and encourages reflection on the research process. Through this apprenticeship, the novice gradually develops the cognitive skills and expertise needed to conduct independent research.

Describe a Cognitive Apprenticeship, and Identify at Least Five Features

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