DB 6

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School

Touro College *

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Course

201

Subject

Psychology

Date

Apr 3, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

2

Uploaded by PresidentHedgehogMaster936

1. While Vygotsky agrees with Piaget, that “children are active, constructive beings” (Berk, 2005, p 26) he emphasizes the pivotal role of social interaction, cultural influence, and explicit instruction in the cognitive development of children. He introduces the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which denotes the space between a learner's independent abilities and what they can achieve with guidance (Gindis, 1999, p 336). Vygotsky asserts that learning takes place within this zone through social interactions with more knowledgeable peers or adults. This interaction, termed as scaffolding, involves providing support and guidance tailored to the learner's current level of understanding, fostering cognitive growth. In contrast, Piaget emphasizes intrinsic cognitive processes in development. He proposes that children actively construct their understanding of the world through interactions with their environment (Berk, 2005, p 26). Piaget's theory suggests that cognitive development progresses through distinct stages, with each stage characterized by unique ways of thinking (Crain, 1992, pp 193-217). Unlike Vygotsky, Piaget places less emphasis on explicit instruction, emphasizing instead children's independent exploration and discovery as they construct knowledge through their experiences. 2. While observing a second-grade student's socio-emotional development through a Vygotskian lens, several key ideas and concepts emerge from Lev Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory. Vygotsky emphasized the interconnectedness of social interactions, cultural context, and cognitive development in shaping a child's socio-emotional growth. One concept I could use is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Vygotsky's concept of ZPD highlights the range of tasks that a child can perform with assistance from a more knowledgeable other (Gindis, 1999). By observing a second-grade student within their ZPD, we can gauge their socio-emotional development through their interactions with peers and adults, especially in collaborative learning activities where they receive guidance and support. Another concept I could utilize during my observation is scaffolding. In the video “Teaching Matters: Scaffolding” we learned that scaffolding is a process through which adults or peers provide temporary support to facilitate a child's learning. By observing instances of scaffolding in the classroom, we can assess how it influences the student's socio-emotional functioning, such as their confidence, motivation, and ability to regulate emotions during challenging tasks. Central to Vygotsky's theory is the idea that social interaction plays a crucial role in cognitive and socio-emotional development (Berk, 2005, pp 26-27). Observing the second-grade student's social interactions with peers and teachers can provide insights into their emotional expression, communication skills, empathy, and ability to collaborate and resolve conflicts effectively.
3.I found the question slightly confusing, as the video focused on students creating posters of different story elements of the book " Chrysanthemum ," and neither set of students presented were of preschool age. However, I did notice the effective use of the ZPD by one teacher. They paired a strong reader with a struggling reader, allowing the former to assist and model fluent reading for the latter while the teacher worked with other students. This utilization of ZPD is a great way to foster peer learning and support (Zone of Proximal Development, 2010). In the second scenario depicted, the students seemed confused by the vocabulary associated with various story elements such as "setting" and "resolution." To address this, a more effective strategy could involve creating an anchor chart together the day prior. During this session, I would read a book aloud and provide guided instruction on how to identify each story element intended for their group posters the next day. While still circulating and assisting each group, this pre-teaching approach would ensure better comprehension and increase the likelihood of success without the need for direct instruction at every step. Questions: 1. Which of the two perspectives do you find more compelling, and why? How might these theories influence educational practices in real-world settings? 2. Which theory do you find more applicable to Special Education Students? 3. How do you think the concept of ZPD can be applied practically in observing a second-grade student's socio-emotional development? 4. How do you address cultural diversity and inclusivity in supporting the socio-emotional needs of all students in your classroom? References: Berk, L. (2005). Infants and Children: Prenatal Through Middle Childhood. NJ: Pearson, pp. 26- 27. Crain, W. (1992). Vygotsky’s Social-Historical Theory of Cognitive Development, In: Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications, 3rd edition, pp 193-217, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall. Gindis, B. (1999). Vygotsky's vision: Reshaping the practice of special education for the 21st century. Remedial and Special Education, 20(6), 333-340 Teaching Matters: Scaffolding. Retrieved from www.youtube.com Zone of Proximal Development. Retrieved from www.youtube.com
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