The Case for Cognicy

Abstract

New advances in technology, specifically large language models and generative artificial intelligence (AI), require a shift in the way higher education looks at assessing learning. The process of thought must be judged and assessed as independent of any resulting product. This separation of process and product necessitates a new way of viewing critical thinking and learning skills. This paper proposes that a new ability, termed cognicy, will be essential to viewing learning, understanding, and thought in an AI world. Cognicy is defined as the foundational ability to think and understand in a process that decouples cognitive processes from their tangible outcomes. Since product can be created by AI in a way that is indistinguishable from human output, it is the process of thinking and learning that remains uniquely human. Cognicy encompasses these skills while seeing a tangible outcome as a by-product rather than evidence of understanding. In giving these skills a name that is separate from concepts like critical thinking, a shared framework and language is created to help move the discussion forward. Much like the push for numeracy seeks to decouple understanding of conceptual math from tasks like arithmetic, a focus on cognicy seeks to decouple thought from tasks that are easily achievable by AI. While there is not yet a specific way to judge cognicy outside of the tangible as of now, there are existing frameworks that already develop cognicy. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) allows for multiple means of instruction, as well as multiple means of assessment. This gives both teacher and student a way to put thought and understanding before a specific task-based output. Metacognition gives learners a skillset that helps them explore their own thinking, an essential skill in gaining cognicy. AI literacy is inextricably linked to cognicy, as it increases metacognitive awareness as it develops AI skills. It is imperative that education recognizes and embraces the shift that comes with AI, using cognicy to help shape and form the future landscape.