Vygotsky Flashcards
Social constructivism
learning by increasing our ability to participate with others in activities that are meaningful in the culture
Social interactions….
create cognitive structures and thought processes
Development happens at 2 levels:
- Social (construction of knowledge during shared activities – external)
- Individual (internalising processes – internal)
Cultural instruments
- material (media, tools, tech)
- psychological (symbol systems)
Mediation
process by which higher order thinking skills are guided by means of psychological instruments
The role of language in cognitive development
- provides a way to express thoughts/ideas
- provides categories for concepts
- thinking depends on speech (self-talk NB for learning)
The following are responsible for shaping individual learning according to vygotsky:
- social interaction
- cultural tools
- activity
Zone of proximal development
Area within child’s current level of development that is attainable with help from an adult or MKO
The process of mediation/scaffolding
Process of instruction as learners move from their actual to potential level of development
Scaffolding
activities the teacher constructs to help learners
The role of the human mediator (Feuerstein)
- directs learners’ attention to relevant situation/object
- helps learners gain meaning from stimuli so that they can create schemas
Factors key to learning according to vygotsky:
- social/interpersonal
- cultural-historical
- individual/biological
Limitations of vygotsky’s theory
Does not detail underlying cognitive processes involved in developmental changes
Private speech
- external thought/communication with self
- increases @ young age then gradually loses audibility
- use increases when encountering difficult task
Egocentric speech (Piaget)
- shows inability to see others’ perspective
- declines with age
- negative social impact
