Theories of Learning and How They Can Be Used to Inform...

This essay discusses two of the theories surrounding childrens learning and development. It further goes on to discuss how they could be used to inform practice in the classroom. The two theories to be discussed are Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory and Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory. Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist who lived from 1896 to 1934. He was widely involved in developing the education program of the emerging Soviet Union. At the time of his death, his theory was not known outside of the Soviet Union because it was repressed. During his life, he created a completely new and scientific approach to psychology, which did not become publicised in the West until 1962. (Hausfather, 1996) Vygotsky’s work later†¦show more content†¦The zone of proximal development has implications for assessment, especially concerning children with learning and behavior problems (Constructivist Education, n.d.). Berk and Winsler (1995,p. 22) discuss Vygotskys unhappiness with the ability and achievement tests as valid measures of childrens capacity to learn. Two children may differ greatly in their ZPDs. One child may do his/her best on its own, while the other could need some assistance. Therefore, the individual ZPD’s are crucial for identifying a childs readiness to benefit from instruction. Vygotskys theory was an attempt to explain learning as the end product of socialization. For example, in the learning of language, our first attempts at speech with peers or adults is for the purpose of communication but once mastered they become internalized and allow inner speech. Vygotsky (1978, p. 56) Before the introduction of Vygotsky’s theories of learning, schools had been organized around recitation teaching. With the teacher giving out knowledge to be memorized by the students, who in turn recite the information back to the teacher. Vygotskys social development theory challenges this traditional teaching method and studies now show that strategies based on the social development theory are far more effective than other instructional strategies (Hausfather, 1996). Scaffolding, reciprocal teaching, and guided instruction are effectiveShow MoreRelatedAdvantages And Disadvantages Of Formative Assessment1152 Words   |  5 PagesANALYSE THEORIES. PRINCIPLES AND MODELS OF ASSESSMENT In this essay, I will critically analyze formative assessment versus summative assessment, looking into the advantages and disadvantages together with the limitations Assessment refers to all those activities undertaken by teachers, and by the students in assessing themselves, which provide information to be used as feedback to modify the teaching and learning activities in which they are engaged. 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