LEARNING LOG 10-6-08

What? We started off class talking about the human brain and neurons. Neurons are brain cells. Neurons have many different parts. Each neuron has a cell boy and axon (which can be coated with myelin) and dendrites. The gap between neurons where information is transmitted is called the synapse. After discussing neurons we were introduced to Jean Piaget. I learned that he was a cognitive constructivist. He believed that children learn through experience, so he thought that teaching should be done with a hands on approach. We also discussed the process of equilibration. How you must use either accomodation or assimilation to reach equilibration. Another theorist we were introduced to was Vygotsky. He was a social construtivist who largely based his theories off studying his own children. He believed children gained knowledge through social interactions and that group work was the greatest teaching tool. He also said children learn to become like adults through play. Vygotsky also came up with ZPD (zone of proximal development. A child is in ZPD when things are not to easy or to hard, and tasks can be performed with assistance. We also discussed Linguistic Development. Heredity is a factor of a childs ability to learn language. Noam presented the idea of a most people being born with a language acquistion device which enables them to learn linguistically. There are crucial times in a childs life where language should be learned (even second languages).
So What? Learning about Piagets different stages made me think about how important it is as teachers that we know what stage(s) our students are in so that we can best suite their needs. I really think that teaching should be more individualized. When we discussed Vygotsky's ZPD and did the worksheet activity deciding whether or not the child was performing in their ZPD, I thought about how it is critical we set up our classrooms so that kids can perform in their ZPD. This can be done by making groups for certain subjects at skill level. Scaffolding must take place in order for this to work. I also realized how crucial it is that language skills are developed at a young age. Children learn so fast and absorb so much more in the younger years. We as teachers just need to constantly be exposing them to language.
Now What? I will use a combination of Piaget and Vygotsky in my classroom. I think that the better I understand these theorists, the better I will be able to customize my classroom to fit my own theories. I will use groups in my classroom that allow students to function in ZPD. I also will provide many hands on learning activities to engage and teach my students. I think that by following the advice of both theorists leads to using the multiple intelligences as well. I want to to talk more with children at an adult level so they will get the language exposure necessary to develop linguistically. I know view playtime as not only fun, but work for the child. It can be used to teach so much socially and that is great.