vygotsky's theory of cognitive development

Question 1

what is learning?

Answer 1

-social process
-learnt from ‘more knowledgeable others’ or ‘experts’

Question 2

cultural differences in cognitive abilities

Answer 2

-acknowledges that learning is a product of your environment incl, languages
-cultures that don’t count with numbers will struggle with maths

Question 3

zone of proximal development (ZPD)

Answer 3

-receive help from more experienced through scaffolding (type of help learner receives)
-while a child may be eager to learn there’s a limit to what they can learn

Question 4

scaffolding

Answer 4

-guide learners to perform what they can with the help
-recruitment, marking critical features, direct maintenance, demonstration, reduction in degrees of freedom

Question 5

strength - real-world application

Answer 5

-students who received peer tutoring from MKO progressed further than just teaching (keer)
-teaching assistants are very effective
-theory is very useful

Question 6

strength - supporting evidence (ZPD)

Answer 6

-Bryant had 2 groups (control + experimental) estimate amount of sweets in a box
-control worked alone and experimental with MKO
-experimental mastered the task whilst control failed