Inferential theory of learning

High school (ages 12+)
Thinking & Learning

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/inferential-theory-of-learning

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the theoretical framework?Cognitive constructivism, emphasizing active knowledge construction
2. What is the core cognitive processes?Schema activation, pattern recognition, analogical reasoning, hypothesis testing, metacognition
3. How does our brain use prior knowledge to learn new things?Our brain uses what we already know—our mental models—to help us understand new information, like a detective using clues to solve a mystery.
4. What are deductive and inductive reasoning?Deductive reasoning is when we take a general rule and apply it to a specific situation, while inductive reasoning is when we notice patterns in examples and create a new general rule.

Schema: A mental framework or concept that helps organize and interpret information.
Metacognition: Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes and learning.
Constructivism: A learning theory stating that individuals actively construct their own knowledge and understanding.