Ch. 2 learning log

What?

This chapter is really the big foundation since it is on the cognitive development and the relations to learning and memory. We learned about the differences between Piaget and Vygotsky. They both have their perspectives on cognitive development. Piaget sees that there are 4 stages. The 1st being sensorimotor stage which is from birth to two. This is where your schemes are based largely on behaviors and perceptions. The 2nd is preoperational (2-7 years) and this is where children can think about objects and events beyond their immediate view but do not yet reason in logic. The 3rd is concrete operations (7-11 years) at this stage the adult like logic appears, but is limited to concrete reality. And the final stage is formal operations (12 +) at this stage you separate their own abstract logic from the perspectives of others and from practical considerations.
Vygotsky’s theory deals with the social constrctivism, role of culture, interaction with adults, and theory derived from observation. His biggest role was the society. With the society there was socio-cultural learning, guided participations (adult helps), apprenticeship (adult thinking), peer interaction and power to play. Most of his studies were based off of his own children.

So What?

This weeks topic is very important as a teacher because these are the cognitive developments that our students will be going through. As elementary teachers we will be dealing with the concrete operations stage, which is ages 7-11. This stage the students are differentiation of one’s own perspective from the perspectives of others, deductive reasoning, and class inclusion. If we know the different ways our students are reacting to certain things it will help us in making sure we can accommodate and help each student in any way they need it. We will know why certain students act up and respond the way some might.

Now What?

I will use this as a future teaching in knowing what most stages my students will be in when I teach them. I can be better prepared for the stages I will see and know how I need to teach the material to my students. By knowing how they learn and respond it will help me to be the most effective to my students.
I still need to learn the different stages better. I don’t know all of the certain ways that the students will learn the best. I need to learn more in depth of the ways the learn certain materials and how they work with other students. I need to make sure I know at what age they work well with others in groups and make sure that I know the best projects to do with groups. Some projects might not be the best because many students have different views on things.