Introduction
Cognitive science is referred to the study of the mind and its functioning. This study entails the knowledge from several disciplines in determination of the learning process by the mind. The study involves the knowledge of disciplines like psychology, linguistics, anthropology as well as computer science in the analysis of how the mind works. This study mainly entails the impact of the auditory, visual and kinesthetic instructions.
Cognitive science mainly uses theories to study the functioning of human minds and the factors that affect its functioning. It enables people to understand the reasons behind the learning capabilities of people in different locations and environment. The ability to learn and understand various materials depends on modality of the information. The ability to learn heavily depends on the environment where the child or learner is subjected therefore affecting both their visual and hearing abilities. The use of auditory and visual skills is therefore important aspects in learning as well as shaping how the mind of human beings works.
Psychologists have engaged in the cognitive laboratory tests and experiments in order to study the role that modality plays in the memories of the learners therefore helps in the general study on the functioning of human mind. The researches show that the memory storage in the mind is independent of the modality in the learning process. It also shows that memory is stored without consideration of the stimuli which detected the response. The memories usually remain in the mind without consideration of whether the person saw, heard or physically touched something therefore memory does not depend on the modality. Most aspects of learning therefore does not depend on the way in which the learner saw or heard something for the first time but the representation of knowledge just remain irrespective of the channel or means of learning.
Cognitive study indicates that the mind is capable of storing the information in various representations or formats but people cannot actually remember how they learnt several things after some time. Research shows that a single experience may lead to different modes of representation by the mind of a human being.
Cognitive science shows that the different auditory, visual or those based on the meaning may not serve as substitutes for each other in terms of representation. This means that there is a reason for the different representations in our minds. Different representations may therefore not play a great role in the way the memory is stored. Visual representations are often considered weak in retention of memory due their inconsistent nature therefore can only store one representation. The research showed that the auditory memory only help remember the voice or sound of something but not help in remembering the actual word.
The research findings shows that children may differ with respect to the auditory and visual memories but this does not make any big difference in the classroom performance of these children. The research shows that the auditory and visual memories are just tools to deliver the intended message but they are fully effective in enabling children or students to remember the meaning of what they are taught. The meaning is of more importance other than just remembering mere sounds and images.
The strong child modality is an issue of concern and importance which should be stressed and instructions attached because relying only on both auditory and visual memory may not be effective be since the meaning may no be remembered. The main reason for the emphasis of this strong child modality is the fact that the content of educational material is vast therefore cannot be remembered by relying on auditory and visual memory alone. The research conducted insists on the use of instructions in teaching in order to enhance memory because visual and auditory memories cannot be relied solely in presentation of information. The use of lesson plans was found a useful technique and tool in enhancing the memory of what the children learn.
Cognitive science insists that the teachers should focus on the best modality in relation to the content other than the students. The teachers should therefore analyze each situation in order to decide the most suitable way of presenting the content because this will help in storing of memory if right methods of presentation are selected.
Research shows that teachers have more belief on the theory of modality due to the notion that there are differences between students in several ways therefore the modality theory is believed to be the most suitable in presentation of the content. The modality concept caters for the differences between the students. The teachers should not rely on this modality theory when it is inconsistent with the experiences of the learners.
In conclusion, cognitive science plays a great role in understanding the functioning of the human mind as well as the fundamental concepts behind retention of memory. This helps in understanding the suitable ways of presenting the information to the learners.
References
Margolis, E., Samuels, R., & Stich, S. P. (2012). The Oxford handbook of philosophy of cognitive science. New York: Oxford University Press.
