Chapter 2

(2.1) One of the most cited theories of human development is that of Swiss biologist Jean

Piaget. After reading about Piaget’s basic assumptions (p. 27-32) look with particular attention

at the stage of child development you would like to teach. The other most cited theory of

human development belongs to Russian developmentalist Lev Vygotsky. Vygotsky’s theory of

cognitive development leads us to expect greater diversity among our same-aged students than Piaget. Given these two influential theorists’ ideas on cognitive development, how might you

accommodate students who are not yet working at the level of their peers?

(2) Theories in educational psychology promote the idea that language plays a critical role in

cognitive development. Examine Table 2.2 (p. 51), paying particular attention to the age range

that you are interested in teaching. Consider how you might incorporate or adapt the strategies

presented for use with your own students.

I find the concrete operational stage to be of great interest.  This is the period where children are starting to function with adultlike logic.  At this state they can also tell the difference between their own perspectives and that of others.  They are still limited though to concrete reality and their cognitive development has not completely developed at this time.

With viewing both Vygotsky’s and Piaget’s theories I would plan to provide peer tutoring in my classroom.  Since each student is going to be at different levels in different areas they can work together and rotate the role of tutor and tutee.  Also I would be sure to provide various methods in order to teach the same material ideas in order to allow students that may be visual, tactile and verbal learns all equal access to the course materials.  Scaffolding can be a great way to bridge the gaps that a student may have in order to provide them with everything they need in order to grasp the material at hand.

Since I will be teaching science at a high school to middle school level I would be sure to include time in my classes to cover the academic terminology.  Students may have never been exposed to this new terminology before entering my classroom, so attention will be paid to helping them understand the meaning of the new terms and pointing out how to distinguish between that term and similar abstract words such as the difference between velocity versus acceleration.