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Module 2: Constructivism & Vygotskian Framework

(Jan 11-31)

Date

Topics, Readings, and Assignments

Week of Jan 11


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics:

Autobiography

Introduction to Constructivism and Vygotskian Framework

From the instructor:

What is cognition? Cognition refers to the thinking that takes place from the moment of birth through the end of adolescence. Thinking involves mental processes such as problem solving, reasoning, creativity, conceptualizing, remembering, classifying, symbolizing, planning, and so on. (Optional Readings: Siegler, 1998, Chapter 1; Small, 1990, Chapter 1) See Powerpoint "What is Cognition?"

What is mental tool? Mental tool is described as an individual's unique intellectual instrument that helps his/her own thinking processes such as above listed. Based on individual's experiences, backgrounds, and Schema ( Schema: organized knowledge a person possesses about a particular domain), people's way of constructing and using their mental tools are diverse. (READ: Bodrova & Leong, 1996, Chapter 1)

Think about this!: Why do individual children differ so much from each other in their thinking?

Let's look back and think about your own early childhood. Go to the Assignments "Autobiography" and finish the course beginning activity.

Readings :

1. Chapter 1: Introduction to the Vygotskian Approach

Assignments:

1. Written Autobiography (Post SOME of your autobiography on the WebBoard)

2. Academic Journal 1 (See: the Grading Rubric System for Academic Journal)

Send your autobiography and Journal 1 entry to E. Hyun's e-mail address: ehyun@fgcu.edu.

WebBoard:

Answer one of the following questions, and react to others' answer (at least one time).
  1. What is cognition?
  2. What is mental tool? Examples?

The students will be able to

  1. articulate and explain human cognition and mental tool.
  2. react to others' different point of view in using multiple perspectives.

Date

Topics, Readings, and Assignments

Week of Jan 18


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics:

Acquiring mental tools and higher mental functions

From the instructor:

What are two forms of mental tool? There are basically two forms of mental tool: External and Internal. (READ Chapter 2)

In theory of human memory, external mental tool is associated with recognition, internal mental tool is associated with recall.

Recognition (external mental tool): a type of memory that involves noticing whether a stimulus is identical or similar to one previously experienced.

Recall (internal mental tool): a type of memory that involves remembering a stimulus that is not present.

In contrast to recognition, recall is more difficult ( or may require more higher level of thinking in recall-based problem solving) , since it involves remembering a stimulus that is not present.

Think about this!: Why do may people think that hands-on learning experiences are appropriate to young children? What would be the reason for that belief and practice?

Think about this!: What would be an appropriate procedure lesson when you teach the social-culturally formed arbitrary symbolic representations (such as letters and numbers) to young children? Consider the differences between external mental tool and internal mental tool.

Language is a universal tool that has been developed and used in all cultures. It is a cultural tool because it is created and shared by all members of a specific culture. It is also a mental tool because each member of the culture uses language to think.

Think about this!: How do mental tools, such as language, help children to control their behavior? (READ Chapter 2, page 18-19)

Lower mental functions: are cognitive processes such as sensation, reactive attention, spontaneous memory, and sensorimotor-based intelligence. It is considered as culture-free mental function.

Higher mental functions: are cognitive processes such as deliberate, mediated, internalized behavior. It included meditated perception, focused attention, deliberated memory, and logical thinking. It is culture-bounded and somewhat institutionally oriented experience based.

Think about this!: How can higher mental function be developed in the early childhood teaching and learning contexts?

Readings :

1. Chapter 2

2. Prepare two Self-chosen articles for next week activity. Read next week (Week of January 25) notes from the instructor and follow the direction.

Assignments:

1. Academic Journal 2 (See: the Grading Rubric System for Academic Journal)

WebBoard:

Answer one of the following questions, and react to others' answer (at least one time)
  1. How and why do human use mental tools? (The purpose of tools)
  2. What is the universal tool?
  3. How do higher mental functions develop?

The students will be able to

  1. describe universal tools an example
  2. explain how and why do human use mental tools using young children's play behavior as an example

Date

Topics, Readings, and Assignments

Week of Jan 25


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topics:

Compare and contrast Vygotskian framework with other theories of child's cognitive development

From the instructor:

READ the Chapter 3 carefully and articulate the differences among the three different theories in their orientation of children's cognitive development.

Please choose two articles regarding children's constructivistic problem solving skills in the context of math & science learning and emergent literacy development (One article in each area). Visit FGCU library (http://library.fgcu.edu/ ) to search articles. You may use course references, other recommended reading lists, and journal lists in the course Information section for the article search. You may also search articles through course "Resources" section. When you read the articles you have chosen, please make a note of "something new to you" as a your new learning experience. Remember! your self-chosen articles and your notes are also required items that should be in your final course performance folder.

Readings :

1. Chapter 3

2. Two self-chosen articles regarding children's Constructivistic problem solving skills in the context of math & science learning and emergent literacy development.

Assignments:

1. Academic Journal 3 (See: the Grading Rubric System for Academic Journal)

2. Self-assessment on the first module learning experiences (Please use the form "Self-assessment on the first module learning experiences" Click hear . Send your responses to Dr. E. Hyun's e-mail address: ehyun@fgcu.edu)

WebBoard:

Discuss one of the following inquiries, and react to others' answer (at least one time)

What was "something new to you" when you read the two self-chosen articles?

Discuss similarities and differences between the two theories

  1. Piaget's constructivist approach vs. Vygotsky's theory
  2. Behaviorist theory vs. Vygotsky's theory
  3. Information processing theory vs. Vygotsky's theory

The students will be able to

  1. Compare and contrast the three major theories differences
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