Human information processing strengths or ‘Cognitive Strengths”  are the keys that allow learners to effectively take in, make sense of, store, and use  information from our environment.

 

These strengths collectively enable humans to navigate complex environments, learn from experience, solve problems creatively, and adapt to new challenges. 

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Students who have challenges processing information might struggle with:

 

• Making connections between different pieces of information

• Storing new learning in their long-term memory

• Using things they have learnt in different ways, at different times or in different places

• Focussing on the most important thing

• Reflect on their thinking or learning

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To help students build their cognitive strengths:

 

• Support them to focus on one task at a time

• Take small achievable steps toward a goal

• Provide ample repetition 

• Make clear links to the real world

• Support them to reflect on their thinking and progress

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Understanding cognitive strengths can help in designing more effective learning environments, learning tasks, and systems that leverage human cognitive capabilities.