EDUC 2130 Lesson 3

In this lesson we talked about Piaget and Vygotsky. We discussed their theories about education and how we could use these theories in our own classrooms. I really enjoyed this lesson and I feel like I learned a lot that I can use in my own classroom.

What are some of the implications of Piaget for teachers? In other words, how could you, as a teacher, use some of Piaget's ideas and theories?

Piaget has a lot of helpful thoughts and ideas that can really be helpful to any teacher. He breaks down child development and puts it into a narrow stretch that can equip a teacher to better instruct his/her students. The teachers should know where the students are on their development and with that knowledge the teacher can know what tasks the students are ready for. It is very important as a teacher to allow your students what is needed so that they can develop more and more throughout the time you have them which are also on of Piaget’s points. The most important point he gives to me though is that teachers show focus more on the learning than the finished product. Any student can memorize answers and pass a test but a student who has truly learned can pass the life test.

•What are some of the criticisms directed towards Piaget and his theory?

Vygotsky made many different opposing views toward Piaget. He said that the culture and environment that a child grows up in overrides the mental and cognitive schema process that Piaget believed in. Vygotsky also believed that a child is shaped by the culture they’re taught to have. He criticizes Piaget with the fact that Piaget didn’t add a lot of cultural shaping and development within a child.

•What is the "Zone of Proximal Development?

The Zone of Proximal Development, ZPD, is the difference between what a student can do without help and what a student can do with help. It was brought about by Vygotsky in the last ten years of his life. A student can do much more when he/she is getting assistance from an individual with a higher skill level. This is true in many places a lot of people are capable of much more than we know but they’re never given the help they need to become that person.

•What are some criticisms of Vygotsky's theory?

Some criticisms toward Vygotsky’s theory is that when students are given too much liberty to interact or be involved they can become a distraction in the classroom. Another major conflict with his theory is that there is no scale in which to measure the ability of a student.

•What are some of the implications of Vygotsky for teachers? In other words, how could you, as a teacher, use some of Vygotsky's ideas and theories?

I could use Vygotsky’s ideas in many different ways in my classroom. He said that in order for a student to learn they must be given constant involvement. I believe that the best way for a student to learn is for me to present a classroom in which they feel like they can be involved. I’ve had a lot of classes where I was kind of intimidated to say anything so I didn’t and I also didn’t learn as much in those classes. On the other hand in thee classes where I felt I could be more involved I learned a lot more.

Summary:

Through this lesson I’ve learned much about Vygotsky and Piaget’s theories. I believe in the theory of Piaget where he states that we need to focus more on the learning process and not as much the final product. I also believe in the theory of Vygotsky that says that the students must feel like they are involved in the classroom. I believe if we can take these two points a work them together that we can create a better America one student at the time. If we can find a way to cause the students to learn more than just a standard or some test answers and teach them to become involved in what they are doing they will be more equipped for life and have a much greater chance of becoming successful.

Research Question: What are ways to help students learn?

Reference(s): http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/03/5-tools-to-help-students-learn-how-to-learn/

Research Analysis:

To the majority of teachers the main thing they desire is to help students to learn. There is a major difference is being taught and actually learning. When someone is learning they are actually doing the majority of the work themselves. When a teacher is teaching they are doing a lot of work but when a student decides to learn they began to do a lot of work for themselves. Through this article I found many different ways to help a student learn.

The first thing is to develop an inquiry community. This community is the classroom itself when the classroom is involving it can only add to the learning experience of the students. An involving classroom helps the students and the teachers. An inquiry circle also gives a lot of opportunity for students. The inquiry circle is a small group where students are allowed to discuss topics in small groups.

One of the most powerful ways to help a student learn to learn is an inquiry journal. A journal gives students to reflect and go through the things they’ve learned as they learn them. I believe that keeping a journal also keeps the brain in a continual learning process. An inquiry log also helps students keep up with what they are doing and what turns they’ve taken throughout the learning process. The final device to help students learn is an inquiry chart. The charts allow the students to center around a centralized question and make greater ideas and also brainstorm.

Research Summary:

Throughout my research I’ve learned new ways that I can help students learn. I wouldn’t have thought that a simple chart could be so beneficial to a student’s learning. I also learned that the chart causes a student to more thinking than they have before. I also learned about the journal helping students. I believe when I become a teacher I’ll put extra focus on the use of charts and journals