...students. These approaches have been tested and researched from various theoretical perspectives. An education theory is the speculative thought of education and just like any other theory; it explains, guides, and describes the practices of education. The earliest speculation on educational processes began during the times of classical sophists and Greek philosophers. Current education speculations use terms like andragogy, curriculum, learning pedagogy, education organization, leadership, and policy. Education thought is derived from various disciplines like, philosophy, sociology, critical theory, psychology, and history among others. This paper will discuss five topics based on the best education theory to be applied in the classroom setting with focus on two education theories postulated by Lev Vygotsky and John Dewey. This paper will also address information processing by students, behaviors of teachers to promote thinking, implications of language development on learning and teaching, and on the relationship between the emotional and social development on student behavior and learning. Classroom Observation Analysis Education theory can either be descriptive like in the sciences or normative like in philosophy. Education theory postulates what education processes are supposed to consist of; it sets the standards, norms, and goals in carrying out an education process. The scientific education theory gives a set of hypotheses, which have to be experimented and...
Words: 3029 - Pages: 13
...Assignment 2: LASA 1 Promoting Cognitive Development As you have learned in your readings, Piaget, Erikson, Skinner, and Vygotsky took different approaches to child development. One’s theoretical perspective influences approaches to child development. The Jacksons are a young couple living in Centervale. They have approached Keith, the child development consultant, for advice on how to promote and nurture the cognitive development of their preschooler Jasmine. Watch the following video to learn more about the similarities and differences of developmental theories. Study of the Child: Theories of Development I, produced by Herzog, Milan & Herzog, Shanta (Learning Seed, 1997), 29:02 mins obtained from Alexander Street Press Education in Video from AUO Library. Compare and contrast the approaches of each of the four perspectives (Piaget, Erikson, Skinner, and Vygotsky). Explain how each theorist would approach the issue of cognitive development in early childhood. Describe how Keith’s advice to Jasmine’s parents might vary depending on his theoretical perspective. What role would society and family play in Jasmine’s cognitive development at this stage of development? What cultural, psychosocial and physical influences will be seen? Incorporate information learned in your readings and at least one peer-reviewed* article from the AUO library to support your conclusions. * Peer reviewed means an article from a reputable journal, which can be found in the library...
Words: 509 - Pages: 3
...interesting topic to discuss with anyone. There are so many theories that people have on human development and it always makes for interesting conversations. In this paper, I will put focus on the psychoanalytic theory, the stages of psychosocial development theory, and the stages of faith theory. I will focus on the three theories because I feel that they are extremely interesting to the growth and development of humans. To be more specific, I want to focus on exactly what the theories are and how they are important and/or related to the human growth and development. As well, I want to focus on at least on theorist who is known specifically for the theory I focus on. I also want to identify the aspects of the life span from that theory’s perspective. Last, but definitely not least, I want to discuss in detail how the heredity and the environment have influence on human development. By the end of the paper, you as the reader, should have a better understanding of the three theories of my choosing and how human development works. Psychoanalytical Theory The first theory related to human growth and development that I want to focus on is the psychoanalytical theory. With this specific theory, the personality organization and the development of the personality dynamics is he focus. Probably the most influential theorist of the psychoanalytical theory is Sigmund Freud. He first laid out the psychoanalytical theory in the nineteenth century but there have been a plethora of refinements...
Words: 973 - Pages: 4
...Cognitive Development: Comparing the Main Ideas of Piaget and Vygotsky Valerie Smith Cognitive Development: Comparing the Main Ideas of Piaget and Vygotsky The benefits of understanding cognitive development are many and varied, and yet there is still much that we do not know. Understanding the main theories that already exist can help in furthering our knowledge, and will spark new ideas for furthering the study of cognitive development. In this paper, I will compare the sociocultural view of Lev Vygotsky with Jean Piaget’s cognitive developmental view. Before discussing how these theorists differ, it is helpful to understand the main points of their theories. Sigelman & Rider (2011) state that Vygotsky believed that the cognitive growth of a child occurs strictly in a sociocultural context and would change and grow based on the child’s social interactions. He believed that cultural and social experiences affected not only what we think, but how we think. Piaget, on the other hand, would have said that children are actively creating their own knowledge through both their experiences and “inborn intellectual functions, which he called the organization and adaptation.” (Sigelman & Rider, 2011) One of the main questions of any discussion on development would revolve around whether or not development is universally experienced in the same way by all persons, or if development is context-specific (in other words, does our environment affect how we develop, grow...
Words: 805 - Pages: 4
...different approaches that are taken to answer the question of psychology is to identify them as major perspectives. The major perspectives represent fundamental assumptions that underlie the research questions and methods that are used in order to answer the questions of psychology. Most all perspectives define psychology as the discipline interested in studying human behavior and mental processes, but that covers a lot of ground and the causes of behavior and mental processes are not always clear. Why People Behave the Way They Do There are many areas of psychology. The field of human development is divided into different theory groups. The groups that will be discussed in this paper are psychodynamic, biological, cognitive, and behavioral. Each theory group has many contributing theorists, all with different views, beliefs, research methods, and life experiences. All theories are valuable in the field of psychology, however some theories may prove to be more helpful than others, in specific careers. The psychodynamic theory of human development’s main focus is personality and social development. It is based on the belief that the mind is divided into two parts, the conscious and the unconscious. The theorist’s believe that development occurs in stages, for one to develop a healthy and positive personality or identity all stages must be completed successfully. Sigmund Freud is a major contributor to the field of psychology; he developed the id, ego, and superego, which...
Words: 1149 - Pages: 5
...------------------------------------------------- Reg No: R09135w ------------------------------------------------- Level: 4.1(Conventional) ------------------------------------------------- Module: African Psychology (PSY 404) ------------------------------------------------- Lecturer: Mr. Mtemeri J. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Assignment: Compare and contrast the concept formation according to Piaget and Vygotsky. How applicable are their theories to the African context. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- Due Date: 15 March 2012 Concept formation according to Muthivhi, (2009) refers to the development of ideas based on the common properties of objects, events or qualities using the process of abstraction. Jean Piaget (1896-1980) and Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) proposed the classical constructivist theories of concept formation or cognitive development. Their contributions to developmental psychology, albeit different, are similarly remarkable and unique. These two theories have some noted resemblances and differences. This essay will give an overview of these two theories, outlining their similarities and differences and their applicability to the African context with special reference to the Zimbabwean context. In Jean Piaget’s research, the main goal...
Words: 1658 - Pages: 7
...more friends and better social skills. Likewise, in a cross-sectional study using self-report data, 15-18- year-olds with good parental attachment had better social skills and, subsequently, better competence in developing friendships and romantic relationships (Engles, Finkenauer, Meeus, & Dekovic, 2005). Ainsworth found that the anxious-ambivalently attached are especially at-risk for later behavioral problems, including aggressive conduct. These data suggested it is vital for the one-third of children who do not develop a secure attachment as infants be provided opportunities to repair the original attachment relationship or construct some form of attachment outside the home, perhaps through interaction with a teacher or mentor. This paper will “BRIEFLY DESCRIBE HOW PARENTS AND TEACHERS CAN HELP TEACH SOCIAL COMPETENCE”. Erikson (1950) provided another important theory related to social competence; his psychosocial theory of personality development emphasized the interplay between the social and emotional domains. Erikson highlighted the importance of the person resolving a series of conflicts where interpersonal relationships play an important role. In infancy, the conflict is Trust versus Mistrust. Erikson hypothesized that an infant will develop trust through interaction with a warm, available, and responsive caregiver or the infant will develop mistrust through interaction with a negative or unresponsive and unavailable caregiver. Subsequently, it is this development...
Words: 1503 - Pages: 7
...the Theories of Bronfenbrenner and Vygotsky Connie Hassan 2015 Abstract Child development is defined as a normal progression by which children change as they grow older by acquiring and refining knowledge, adjusting behaviours and mastering new skills. As children grow there are both quantitative and qualitative differences between them. Quantitative differences emerge in that children acquire more knowledge and grow physically larger and stronger. Qualitative differences in the way children think, behave, and perceive the world differently as they mature. Many theories of child development have emerged as researchers continue to try to support, contradict or integrate differing points of view. Theories of child development have reflected the thinking of the times in which they arose. Some more recently developed theoretical perspectives focus on children’s internal processes and others on external influences related to development. This essay will discuss two different theoretical approaches - sociocultural theory, which stresses that social interaction is fundamental in the role of physical, cognitive and social development, and ecological systems theory, which integrates a holistic approach to encompassing the key individual and environmental influences on child development. The focus of the discussion is a comparative analysis of a theory from each of these approaches. A Discussion of the Theories of Bronfenbrenner and Vygotsky According to Berk (2013), there are...
Words: 2538 - Pages: 11
...Play is a vital part of our lives. In a child’s formative years, play is a powerfull and productive way of learning about the world. When the child grows and develops, the way in which he/she plays changes clearly. In this essay I will explain how and why this change occurs. I will look at how play is defined in different theoretical perspectives and discuss the features and functions of play. I will explain how play is relevant with the child’s degree of maturational development and explain how the child’s physical, intellectual, linguistic, emotional and social developments are inter-related through play. I will describe how this maturational development is connected to the child’s ability to engage in increasingly complex and social play. First of all, “what is play?” First of all being a universal feature of human life, it is difficult to define. Wardle defines play as a freely chosen activity which is "non-literal, self-motivated, enjoyable and process oriented. Critical to this definition is the non-literal, non-realistic aspect. This means external aspects of time, use of materials, the environment, rules of the play activity, and roles of the participants are all made up by the children playing. They are based on the child's sense of reality" (Wardle, undated); with the key point being that all aspects of the play are based on the child’s sense of reality. Hughes and King describe play as “a process that is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated”...
Words: 2014 - Pages: 9
...We often hear about the “terrible twos.” Maybe two-year-olds got that reputation because they get around very fast and insist on doing things their own way. They get upset easily and don’t want to change their minds once they start to do something. Quality care means developmental care that helps children develop both their minds and bodies in a safe and healthy place. In child care, it is not enough to see that children are fed, clean, and safe from harm. This custodial care meets only the child’s basic needs for health and safety. Developmental care tries to meet all the needs of the growing child for love, guidance, and learning. By the time children are 24 months old, they should be able to understand many of the words that are said to them every day. They usually say about 50 words, and some children can put two words together to make a little sentence. One child may talk better than another but; most children catch up quickly when they have caring adults who help. Twos talk about the things they sense- the things they hear, see, smell, taste, or touch- so teachers should talk about these things with them. Name people, things, and actions for Twos; Talk about what their senses tell them. Talk about the things that are part of their own world so that they will understand what you are talking about. Toddlers use the few words they say in many ways. They will use one word to mean a whole sentence. For example, a child may say “apple” to mean “there is an apple,” or...
Words: 1455 - Pages: 6
...further to identify the developmental periods as childhood and adolescence, early childhood, middle adulthood, and late adulthood. At this point in time, it is formal to simplify various terminologies that relation to human development. This is because they will feature constantly in the preceding sections. First and foremost is development. This is simply a change characterized by movement from one state to another. Usually, development leads to transitions. Development, as will be used in this paper, will refer to growth, and progression through certain stages, commonly termed as “maturity.” Another term of significance is stage. This refers to sections that differentiate the various phases of growth. The phases involve changes which are either physical or intellectual and their subsequent impact on life events and experiences. This paper examines the wider field of lifespan development. It begins by exploring the stages of human development. As regards, the stages, the paper focuses on seven main stages i.e. the infancy stage, early childhood, middle childhood, Adolescence, early adulthood, middle...
Words: 4003 - Pages: 17
...Direct Instruction Vs. Constructivist Instruction [pic] Wingate University ED 530 It is important that educators and parents understand the methods used to effectively educate each student and how they impact student learning. To relay the importance of direct instruction, I would introduce the instructional model as described by the National Institute of Direct Instruction. According to the National Institute of Direct Instruction, “Direct Instruction (DI) is a model for teaching that emphasizes well-developed and carefully planned lessons designed around small learning increments and clearly defined and prescribed teaching tasks (http://www.nifdi.org/).” I would describe how direct instruction is a method of teaching considered most effective by various researchers. I would explain how the direct instruction model utilized in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system (CMS) allows students to learn more in less time. To demonstrate the direction instruction model, I would provide parents an opportunity to review the lesson plan format (Appendix 1) as prepared by CMS. Parents will be directed to notice how classes are structured to allow for: link to prior learning, teacher modeling, guided practice, independent practice, closure, and student assessments. Each of these items will be broken down using research based information to explain the break down of learning into smaller increments (Appendix 2) for the direct instruction model. Parents...
Words: 4954 - Pages: 20
...This a personal reflection paper in relation to the theories of learning and my own learning journey This assignment gives a narrative of a substantial part of my learning life, and, how I evolved as a learner, with particular focus on the emotional aspects in the learning and teaching journey by exploring various theories and theorists. I have especially focussed on emotions as with one or two exceptions my early learning journey was bereft of emotions and feelings except for anxiety and fear. From the mini-project are some of the places I gained balm, knowledge and independence of the system I was in as a child and young person. Having a school teacher I really enjoyed at school is probably limited to a handful that I can remember. There was Miss King my Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Clay and Miss Harlow both taught English and a vibrant art teacher called Miss Myers. The one thing they all had in common was warmth, and, communication with them found the good, they saw ability in me and others and they emanated belief and possibilities. They were not jaded and when they interacted with a student and it felt like being involved in the task in hand with both encouragement and gentle steering. As Carl Jung (1943) expressed, "An understanding heart is everything in a teacher, and cannot be esteemed highly enough. One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material...
Words: 2105 - Pages: 9
...the Office of Learning and Teaching, Department of Education and Training, Victoria, 2004 Authors Sandra Mahar and Maddy Harford Contributions This publication was developed by the Research and Development Branch, Office of Learning & Teaching for the Department of Education and Training. Contents INTRODUCTION: THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING IN THE KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY 4 Defining Learning 5 Overview of the paper 6 THEORIES OF LEARNING 7 Cognitive Learning Theories 7 Social Learning Theories 7 Constructivist Theories 8 Experiential Learning 9 Adult Learning, or Andragogy 9 Multiple Intelligences 10 Situated Learning Theory and Communities of Practice 10 FACTORS AFFECTING LEARNING 12 Neurological development and functioning 12 Emotional and Social Factors 13 Generic Skills 14 The ICT Revolution 15 CONCLUSION 16 Bibliography 17 Selected Resources 17 Introduction: The Importance of Learning in the Knowledge Economy This paper is the first in a series of occasional papers developed by the Research Branch within the...
Words: 6821 - Pages: 28
...Learning and Instruction 13 (2003) 465–485 www.elsevier.com/locate/learninstruc Not just Piaget; not just Vygotsky, and certainly not Vygotsky as alternative to Piaget Michael Shayer ∗ King’s College, University of London, 16 Fen End, Over, Cambridge CB4 5NE, UK Abstract There have been many interpretations published on the relative importance of the work of both Vygotsky and Piaget: often to the detriment of the latter. This article represents an attempt to discover the meaning and intention of the former by going back to the specifics of what he said and wrote. By reference to what they said of each other it is argued that by the early 30s they had reached almost identical positions regarding child development, and that the work of each is complementary to that of the other. The implications of this position for a theory of intervention for cognitive acceleration are then discussed. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction As we know from investigations of the process of concept formation, a concept is more than the sum of certain associative bonds formed by memory, more than a mere mental habit; it is a complex and genuine act of thought that cannot be taught by drilling, but can be accomplished only when the child’s mental development has itself reached the requisite level. (1) Throughout the history of the child’s development runs a ‘warfare’ between spontaneous and non-spontaneous, systematically learned, concepts. (cf...
Words: 9961 - Pages: 40
