cognitive development (social development theory) lev vygotsky week two: lecture 11 th july 2011
TRANSCRIPT
Cognitive Development(Social Development Theory)
Lev Vygotsky
Week Two: Lecture11th July 2011
Table of Contents
• Vygotsky’s Basic Concepts• The Social Development Theory• Zone of Proximal Development• Learning as process of Enculturation• Individual and Social Constructivism• ZPD Development Stages• Scaffolding• Applying Vygotsky’s theory to Education• Test your understanding
Vygotsky awakes our eyes to the
powerful role of culture and
community in learning. His theory
presents the radical idea that our very
thought and intelligence is really not
our own. It’s the product of history
and culture.
Mediated Activity
(Help us do mental work--So we call them mental tools) (Help us do physical work)
Signs Tools
Vygotsky’s Basic Concepts• Cultures create mental tools which
transform our mental work just like physical tools transform our physical work.
The Social Development Theory
• Children socializing with their peers or adults
plays a major role in their cognitive
development.
• Vygotsky stresses dialogue between children
and adults in order for knowledge to be passed
to the child.
The Social Development Theory (Cont…)
• Knowledge originally exists outside the
child, but through interaction with the
adult, knowledge can be internalized.
• Zone of Proximal Development
(ZPD): The gap between what a
learner can do independently and
what a learner cannot do even with
assistance.
ZPD
Tasks I cannot do even with help
Tasks I can do only with help
Tasks I can do all by myself
Vygotsky in a Nutshell
• The mental tools of our culture are what make
us smart. We acquire these mental tools best
through meaningful participation in authentic,
social activities. The ZPD describes how we
learn from others as we participate in social
activity.
• Overall, learning is a process of enculturation.
Learning as a process of Enculturation
Think about a group you were a part of in high
school.
1. What were some of the defining qualities of this
group?
• What “look” did you need to have?
• How did you need to talk?
• What unique values did the group have?
• What activities did you engage in?
2. How did you learn to be a part of this group and
adopt these qualities?
Individual and Social Constructivism
• Individual: individuals construct meaning out of what they already know and through their interactions with the environment.
• Social: Groups or cultures construct meaning together out of what the group or culture already knows and experiences.
• Vygotsky’s extension: Individuals construct meaning through their interaction with others (i.e., they internalize the meaning constructed by the group or culture as they become enculturated).
Zone of Proximal Development Stages
Stage 1: Assistance from “more knowledgeable other” (capable peer or adult)
Stage 2: Assistance from self (prior knowledge and research)
Stage 3: Automatization (practice, trial-and-error)
Stage 4: De-automatization (provide explanation to others)
Zone of Proximal Development Stages
Scaffolding
Cognitive development in the
zone off proximal development
stresses the role off a social
partner off the student (a
teacher or a more skilled
peer)..
Images of scaffolding ?
Which picture is the odd one out and why?
Applying Vygotsky’s Theory to Education
Group Working: Collaborative learning is beneficial for using and developing skills.
Importance of Language: Language is used differently at different times in development, so type of language used at any time is important. Eg: talking to oneself while solving problems, parents talking with their children…
Scaffolding: Scaffolding means that the teacher need not wait until the child appears to be ‘ready’ to learn, as the child can be supported during their development
Test your understanding!
• What theory did Lev Vygotsky contribute to education?
A. Zone of Proximal DevelopmentB. Social Learning TheoryC. ScaffoldingD. Socialization Process
Correct!
Keep going!
Incorrect!
Try again!
Test your understanding!
• How many stages are there for the development of the Zone of Proximal Development?
A. 2B. 3C. 4D. 5
Correct!
Keep going!
Incorrect!
Try again!
Test your understanding!
• Vygotsky’s theory supports social interaction between students and more capable peers’ or adults.
A. TrueB. False
Correct!
Congratulations! You are finished!
Incorrect!
Try again!
Tutorial work
• Explain the 4 steps in Vygotsy’s theory with example. Take one mathematics concept when explaining.
• What is the role of scaffolding in ZPD. Give an example.