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--- learning_theories:assimilation_theory [2011/02/25 10:12]
jpetrovic [General]
+++ learning_theories:assimilation_theory [2011/02/28 16:04]
jpetrovic [What is assimilation theory?]
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-Assimilation theory is one of the [[learning_paradigms:cognitivism#learning_theories|cognitivist learning theories]] developed by an American educational psychologist [[http://www.davidausubel.org/|David  Ausubel]] during 1960s. According to Ausubel, **learner's cognitive structure is central to learning**. Cognitive structure is, in his own words "hierarchically organized in terms of **highly inclusive concepts** under which are **subsumed less inclusive subconcepts** and informational data". Learning, according to Ausubel's theory, occurs through **development of new cognitive structures** that will hold newly acquired information.
+Assimilation theory is one of the [[learning_paradigms:cognitivism#learning_theories|cognitivist learning theories]] developed by an American educational psychologist [[http://www.davidausubel.org/|David  Ausubel]] during 1960s. According to Ausubel, learner's cognitive structure and its development are central to learning. Cognitive structure is, in his own words "hierarchically organized in terms of **highly inclusive concepts** under which are **subsumed less inclusive subconcepts** and informational data". Learning, according to Ausubel's theory, occurs through **development** of **new cognitive structures** that will hold newly acquired information.
 ===== What is assimilation theory? =====
+Ausubel defines **cognitive structure**, the central term in his theory, as "//individual's organization, stability, and clarity of knowledge in a particular subject matter field at any given time//". The cognitive structure, if well organized, **enables faster learning** in terms of adding new ideas and structures to it and therefore is the key aspect of learning. If cognitive structure is unorganized or badly connected, the acquisition of new information will be more difficult.
-Ausubel defines cognitive structure as "individual's organization, stability, and clarity of knowledge in a particular subject matter field at any given time". The **cognitive structure**, if well organized, **enables faster learning in terms of adding new ideas** and structures to it. If it is unorganized or **badly connected**, the **acquisition of new information will be more difficult**.
+**Knowledge** is in assimilation theory organized hierarchically in a **pyramidal shape** where more **general ideas** and concepts appear **at the top** of the pyramid and get more and **more specific to the bottom** of it. **New knowledge is assimilated** in this hierarchy **by anchoring** to already existing more general concepts. The closer to the top of the pyramid an idea is, the more general it is and the longer is its life time.
-**Knowledge** is in assimilation theory organized hierarchically in a **pyramidal shape** where more **general ideas** and concepts appear **at the top** of the pyramid and get more and **more specific to the bottom** of it. **New knowledge is assimilated** in this hierarchy by **anchoring to already existing** more general concepts. The closer to the top of the pyramid an idea is, the more general it is and the longer is its life time.
+Ausubel distinguishes between //meaningful// and //rote learning//. **Meaningful learning** is learning that is well **anchored and integrated** in the cognitive structure. It occurs when learner can find meaning in the information. **Rote learning** on the other hand represents knowledge that **remains** unrelated and **unanchored to existing concepts** and is therefore easily forgotten. Meaningful learning won't occur unless the new ideas are presented in a clear way that enables their relating with other ideas, unless the learner already possesses those other ideas he can relate the new ones with and unless the learner actually makes an attempt to do so. If those conditions are satisfied, new ideas will remain anchored in his knowledge and if not, learning will remain rote.
-Ausubel distincts between //meaningful// and //rote learning//. **Meaningfull learning** is learning that **is well anchored and integrated** in the cognitive structure. **Rote learning** on the other hand represents knowledge that **remains unrelated and unanchored to existing concepts** and is therefore easily forgotten. Meaningfull learning won't occur unless the new **ideas are presented in a clear way** that enables their **relating with other ideas**, unless the learner already possesses those other ideas he can relate the new ones with and unless he actually makes an attempt to do so. If so, new ideas will remain anchored in his knowledge and if not, learning will remain rote.
+As a result of a successful meaningful learning, the **new idea** will remain **anchored** to a so called **subsumer**. That of course doesn't mean that the learned idea can't be forgotten: this process, referred to as //obliterative subsumption//, happens as more specific idea becomes less and less distinctive from its subsumer until it is finally said to be forgotten.
-As a result of a successful meaningful learning, the **new idea will remain anchored to a so called subsumer**. That of course doesn't mean that the learned idea can't be forgotten: this process, referred to as //obliterative subsumption//, happens as more specific idea becomes less and less distinctive from its subsumer until it is finally said to be forgotten.
+Another important and rather controversial part of Ausubel's theory are the **//advance organizers//**: introductory material presented "in advance of the learning material itself" and "at a higher level of abstraction, generality, and inclusiveness" than the learning material((Ausubel, D. The Psychology of Meaningful Verbal Learning. New York: Grune & Stratton. 1963.)). Purpose of advance organizers is to **help replace the missing concepts** necessary for successful acquisition of new information by providing a link between the new material and the learner's established cognitive structure. Organizers help the learner realize where the new material fits in relation to the prior knowledge about the material.
-Another important and rather controversial part of Ausubel's theory are //organizers//: **abstract ideas on a higher level than the content that will be presented for learning**, purpose of which is to **help replace the missing concepts** necessary for successful acquisition of new information. **Organizers** should be of greater help to students with less organized cognitive structures, since organized cognitive structures already possess quality anchoring ideas. Critics of Ausubel's theory often reflect the fact that he doesn't describe construction of organizers so different researches provide different results of their efficiency.
+Advance organizers Advance organizers should be of greater help to students with less organized cognitive structures, since organized cognitive structures already possess developed anchoring ideas. Organizers can be most productive when closely related topics or unitary topics need to be learned and when learners prior knowledge can be assessed. Advanced organizer can include various types of material like pictures, verbal descriptions, prequestioning techniques, and cultural background knowledge(([[http://www.jstor.org/pss/329009|Herron, C. An investigation of the  effectiveness of using an advance organizer to introduce video in the foreign language classroom. Modern language Journal, 78, 190-197. 1994.]])). So far no significant differences in effects of this types of organizers have been reported(([[http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a713757529~db=all|Togo, Dennis F. Topical sequencing  of questions and advance organizers impacting students examination performance.  Accounting Education, 11(3), 203-216. 2002.]])).
 [[http://cmapspublic2.ihmc.us/rid=1094487285248_442176581_5443/Ausubel%27s%20theory.cmap|{{ images:ausubel.jpg?620x350 | A visual representation of Ausubels theory. Image borrowed from: http://cmapspublic2.ihmc.us/... Click on the picture to follow the link. }}]]
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   * **Association learning theory**, **cognitive structure**, **concepts**, **subconcepts**, **hierarchy**, **anchoring**, **obliterative subsumption**, **meaningful learning**, **rote learning**, **subsumer**, **organizer**
   * [[http://www.davidausubel.org/|David  Ausubel]]
+===== Criticisms =====
+Critics of Ausubel's theory often reflect the fact that he doesn't describe construction of organizers so different researches provide different results of their efficiency.
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 ===== Read more =====
-Ausubel, D. P. Learning theory and classroom practice. Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. 1967.
+[[http://books.google.hr/books?id=LbkdAAAAMAAJ&q=Ausubel,+D.+P.+Learning+theory+and+classroom+practice.&dq=Ausubel,+D.+P.+Learning+theory+and+classroom+practice.&hl=hr&ei=G7drTZG5NIqb8QPU2fHyBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAA|Ausubel, D. P. Learning theory and classroom practice. Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. 1967.]]
-Ausubel, D. P. In defense of advance organizers: A reply to the critics. Review of Educational Research, 48, p251-257. 1978.
+[[http://rer.sagepub.com/content/48/2/251.extract|Ausubel, D. P. In defense of advance organizers: A reply to the critics. Review of Educational Research, 48, p251-257. 1978.]]
-Ausubel, D. P. Schemata, cognitive structure, and advance organizers: A reply to Anderson, Spiro, and Anderson. American Educational Research Journal, 17, p400-404. 1980.
+[[http://aer.sagepub.com/content/17/3/400.abstract|Ausubel, D. P. Schemata, cognitive structure, and advance organizers: A reply to Anderson, Spiro, and Anderson. American Educational Research Journal, 17, p400-404. 1980.]]
 [[http://cmapspublic2.ihmc.us/rid=1094487285248_442176581_5443/Ausubel%27s%20theory.cmap|Ausbell's assimilation theory (graphical overview)]]

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