In apprenticeship, the processes of the activity are visible. In schooling, the processes of thinking are often invisible to both the students and the teacher. Cognitive apprenticeship is a model of instruction that works to make thinking visible.

— COLLINS, BROWN, HOLUM, 1991

What is it?

The cognitive apprenticeship model is about making cognitive and meta-cognitive thinking processes visible to and applicable by students—easily, autonomously, and effectively. We believe this is what builds competence in any arena.