Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky
May 22, 2013
The educational implications of Erikson, Piaget, and Vygotsky are very precise and distinctive. These three articles focus on the application of cognitive, social and psychosocial theories and their implications within an effective classroom. Each individual psychologist puts into practice learning practices that can be executed within a classroom to increase student’s success and achievement. Piaget’s article stresses the educational practices of peer learning, and depicts possible outcomes from this strategy. Vygotskys article highlights the importance of developing an efficient social climate within the classroom, whereas Erikson draws our attention to teaching children of diverse cultures.
Piaget: Implications of Piaget’s Ideas about Peer Learning Peer-learning has great significance in the classroom settings and can be considered imperative in its usage in the classroom. The essential function of peer learning is to sharpen academic skills and manage interactions with classmates (De Lisi, 2002). DeVries stated that student learning is extended when teacher generate an environment of mutual respect in their classrooms. When mutual respect is established in the classroom peers demonstrate a higher probability to freely exchange ideas that later lead to deeper understandings and positive reception of individual personalities. The article also suggested that peer learning occur in the classroom rather than being extended outside of the classroom. This suggestion is made because of differences in social-moral contexts outside of the classroom; however teacher can require particular individual parts. Piaget suggested that developing knowledge as a relationship between a child’s current cognitive system and the object, task, or problem at hand. When this relationship is balanced the cognitive system is engaged in its entirety and essential components of the problems are
Cited: De Lisi, R., (2002). From Marbles to Instant Messenger: Implications of Piaget’s Ideas about Peer Learning. Theory Into Practice, Volume 41,5-12. Erikson, E. H. (1950). Childhood and society. New York: Norton. Onchwari, G., Onchwari, J. A., & Keengwe, J. (2008). Teaching the immigrant child: Application of child development theories. Early Childhood Education Journal, 36 3, 267-273. Powell, K. C., & Kalina, C. J. (2009). Cognitive and social constructivism: Developing tools for an effective classroom. Education, 130 2, 241-250. Vygotsky, L.S. (1962). Thought and language. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press (original work published in 1934).