What is Cognitive Modeling?
- Cognitive modeling is a strategy that involves demonstrating and explaining the mental thoughts and processes that individuals need to engage in order to successfully complete a task or solve a problem.
- This complements explicit instruction because you are not just teaching concepts and content, but the thought processes that underlie more abstract tasks like problem solving.
- Cognitive modeling focuses on the what, why, and how of tasks
- Cognitive modeling is especially useful in teaching executive function skills and strategies
- General Cognitive Modeling Process:
- Task Analysis
- Demonstration
- Verbalization
- Guided Practice
- Gradual Release
How is cognitive modeling related to coaching?
- Cognitive modeling is a way to help teach how to think
- In coaching, the goal is to “share the secrets” in how strategies are developed
- By working through all the thought processes, coaches help individuals learn to think in ways that help them achieve their goals
