Learning Objectives
*One problem working on the web is that visiting
a link creates a change in the color of future cases of
that link. Therefore, as in the case of the
following examples, you can predict answers based on
which links change colors and which do not. To stop
this so that your learning remains at its maximum- it is
necessary to change the color of all links prior to you
starting. Click
here to change the color of all practice links
2) Unlike animals the development of unique human abilities cannot be explained by evolution.
3) Mastery of the environment and the associated social relations determines the nature of human thought.
4) The basic form of matter is movement and change.
5) Psychological processes must be studied as dynamic ongoing events.
6) The creation and use of arbitrary stimuli change the nature of thinking.
7) According to Vygotsky, the "psychological cell" that is the key to cognitive development is
8) Learning that a large round red object is a "ball" is an example of
9) Simple mental functions such as simple perception and involuntary attention are represented by the
10) According to Vygotsky, egocentric speech is
(b) a beginning phase in self-guidance
(c) a brief development associated with make-believe play
(d) an indicator of intuitive or
primitive thinking
Questions 11-16 are related to the concepts of primitive mental functions, and higher psychological functions. Each statement is a characteristic of one or the other- choose the correct response.
11) conditioned primarily by biological characteristics
12) controlled by the individual
13) linked directly to action
14) tied to concrete experience
15) make use of "object stimuli" and "means stimuli"
16) make use of natural memory
17) The key to maximum learning
and development is
(b) independent problem solving
(c) intersubjectivity
(d) spontaneous concept learning
18) Readiness is defined by Vygotsky as the
(b) intersubjectivity of learning
(c) scaffolding of the learning task
(d) zone of proximal development
19) According to Vygotsky, good learning
(b) leads development
(c) collaborates with development
(d) is unrelated to development
20) The highest level of cognitive development is that of
Read the following Gedanken. Once complete, I encourage you to consider the variety of issues that are raised, as well as the possible reasons that the assignment is written the way it is. Once you have crafted your response, e-mail me your work.
Gedanken
You have just accepted a new position as a "Learning Theories Analyst" with the Florida Department of Education, Division of Professional Training. Your first task is related to the development of an online in-service program for teachers. Your supervisor directs you to begin to build a database of websites that teachers can use to learn about a variety of learning theories. The supervisor requests that you start with Vygotsky.
Your specific task is to identify at least 7 sites on the World Wide Web that can be used to help teachers learn about Vygotsky. Each site must be visited, evaluated, and a brief review written. Based on the quality of the site (how will you judge quality?) you are to assign each site between 1 and 5 golden apples. Then prepare for your supervisor a brief report containing the URL of each site, the number of golden apples assigned, and a brief narrative addressing the content and quality of the site. Finally, include information on the criteria you used to judge each site.
TIP: Above, under Links
to Resources, there are 6 sites already identified.
You can use no more than three of these on your
list. Since these sites were easily found using
Infoseek, you may want to try a different search engine
that might yield different results.
Alternative 2
Piaget and Vygotsky have many similar and compatible ideas. However, some of their ideas, including those concerning the relationship between a young child's language and thought development are divergent. Discuss the difference of opinion that these two theorists have concerning this issue. Then, choose the position which makes the most sense to you and offer an explanation for your choice.