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The cognitive dimension is all about designing learning that is effective, efficient and enjoyable for learners. This dimension builds on what would traditionally be considered “cognitive sciences” or “pedagogics” studies.

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Cognitive Dimension - Education for Social Change

Cognitive Dimension

The cognitive psychology paradigm

Since the 1960s, there has been considerable research done into how the human brain processes information, how people learn, and what design principles can lead to building effective learning activities.

The cognitive dimensions tackles “how” questions in education.

Cognitive Dimension in Ginie's words:

Important Concepts

Self-determination Theory

Edward Deci & Richard Ryan

This motivation theory highlights autonomy, competence, and relatedness — key for learner engagement in XP’s cognitive and individual dimensions.

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Assimilation and Accommodation

Jean Piaget

Piaget’s theory explains how learners integrate or adapt knowledge, supporting XP’s focus on flexible, experience-based cognitive development.

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Zone of Proximal Development

Lev Vygotsky

ZPD shows how learners grow with support. XP applies this to collaborative, scaffolded learning across group and community dimensions.

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Important concepts

that make the point.

Hyperobjects – Timothy Morton

Entanglement – Donna Haraway

Actor-network theory – Bruno Latour

Radical resurgence – Leanne Simpson

Carrier bag theory of fiction – Ursula K. Le Guin

Windigo – Robin Wall Kimmerer

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