Learning Theories and Instruction – Walden University

In an assigned article (from Week 1), I read the following:  “Cognitive theories stress the acquisition of knowledge and internal mental structures.”  Then, “Learning is equated with discrete changes between states of knowledge rather than with changes in the probability of response.”

What is the acquisition of “internal mental structures”?  Is that simply learning how to think in a certain way?  Is it talking about metacognition–learning to be aware of one’s thought processes?  This would make sense, as these things were discussed in the course text chapter on Cognitivism.  However, it’s also possible that I’ve misunderstood.

And then, what about “discrete changes in states of knowledge”?  What, exactly, is a “state of knowledge,” anyway?  Is it indicated by whether one knows a thing thoroughly, hazily, or not at all?  Does it suggest one’s level of certainty about a particular fact?  This is another of those phrases one feels as though one ought to understand but nevertheless couldn’t rephrase with confidence.

Anyone who can enlighten me is encouraged to comment on this.