Deficits in perception, cognition, and emotions impact the learning process and create uneven academic performance. The learning process is represented as a wall with various components. Perceptual and cognitive skills form the foundation of the wall. If any of these areas including visual/motor coordination, or auditory memory or abstract/logical thinking are weak or vulnerable, academic skills are affected. After cognitive and perceptual deficits are strengthened, confidence grows and the learning process functions efficiently. Students become able to learn indeptendently.
CognitionIn order to make sense of the world around us, to give meaning to our experiences and to develop the ability to learn new information, we are dependent upon our cognition. Cognition refers to thinking processes such as reasoning, reflecting, attaching meaning, remembering and evaluating.
PerceptionThis refers to how we receive and process information whether through sight, sound, touch, movement, smell or taste. We must perceive information correctly in order for the brain to process the world around us.
EmotionThe way we feel about the world around us, our relationships with others and our approach to life is largely impacted by our emotions. Self confidence plays a key role in successful acquisition of new information, forming relationships and communicating our needs.
AcademicsIn order for students to successfully learn the required content and respond well to standards-driven instruction, students must be taught "how to learn". Teaching a student how to learn creates independent learning skills that build competencies in cognition and processing so that the acquisition of academics becomes more efficient and effective.
