Information processing theory
The IPT is a collection of concepts that has its roots
within cognitive psychology. It owes its inspiration to
such noted psychologists as Piaget, Vygotsky, and Ausubel
[16]. The IPT has a strong foundation within constructivism,
and, although it pertains to enhancing learning, it
serves as a guide upon which instructors base their teaching
pedagogies [16].
The IPT contains six key components, each of which
acts as a framework in which to view the specific teaching
methods employed by the studies participants.
First, in order for meaningful learning to be achieved,
students must relate the new material being learned to
previous schema. Nurse educators who deliberately link
knowledge learned in previous courses with current
course material have chosen to adhere to the concept of
linking schemas [8].
Second and third, a new concept being presented must
be organized in its delivery and presented at the appropriate
education level for the students [8].
Fourth, students can handle only a given amount of
new material at a time. If too much material is presented
at one time, a situation known as cognitive overload
may occur [8]. Often, didactic nursing courses are
3 hours long. Given the comprehensiveness of the material
covered in most nursing classes and the length of
time students are in class, cognitive overload is all but
guaranteed without some sort of varied teaching approach.
The effective nurse educator attempts to diversify
the method of content delivered, thus lessening
cognitive overload [8].
Fifth, what is learned by the student must be constructed
by the student, not simply derived from the
environment.
Sixth, students need to be active in the learning processes.
The final two components are considered necessary
to the enhancement of students’ awareness of how
they learn, which in turn improves their learning capabilities
[16,18].