Recent cognitive perspectives on learning--implications for nurse education

Nurse educators must keep abreast of contemporary learning theory so that their teaching reflects current ideas of best practice. In view of this, it is important to report on recent developments in the field of learning. Of particular significance is the fact that behaviouristic explanations of learning have largely been replaced with cognitive perspectives which emphasise the complexity of the learning process. Memory, learning, problem solving and expertise have all been investigated from a cognitive stance. The highlights of this work include, firstly, the portrayal of learning as an active, constructivist, cumulative and self-regulated process leading to the development of understanding and complex, skilled performance. Secondly, the highly important role played by knowledge in learning has been identified and described. Lastly, novice-expert differences in problem solving and academic and practical performance more generally, are well understood as a result of investigations of expertise in many domains. In this paper, these three significant perspectives from cognitive psychology will be examined and their implications for the education of undergraduate nurses described. Developments in the field of nursing that reflect or challenge a cognitive outlook are also identified.