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What separates advanced societies from primitive societies? What separates advanced cognition from basic cognition? That is, what makes us smart?
Vygotsky awakes our eyes to the powerful role of culture and community in learning. His theory presents the radical idea that our very thought and intelligence is really not our own. Its the product of history and culture.
Mediated Activity
create mental tools which transform our mental work just like physical tools transform our physical work.
As we internalize these tools we become smarter (i.e., we develop higher psychological processes). Language is the mother of all mental tools.
Th e distance between the actual d evelopmental level asdetermined by independent problem solving and the le of potential development as vel determined through problem solving under ad ult guidance or in collaboration with more capable others(Vygotsky, Mind in Society, p. 86 ).
ZPD
ZPD
What mental tool has been internalized?
Use language
ZPD
Babble
Learning (internalization of tools) occurs most naturally and efficiently when we participate in authentic, social activities.
Vygotsky in a Nutshell
The mental tools of our culture are what make us smart. We acquire these mental tools best through meaningful participation in authentic, social activities. The ZPD describes how we learn from others as we participate in social activity. Overall, learning is a process of enculturation.
Human learning presupposes a specific social nature and a process by which children grow into the intellectual life of those around them (Vygotsky, Mind in Society, p. 88)
Think about a group or clique you were a part of in high school. What were some of the defining qualities of this group?
What look did you need to have? How did you need to talk? What unique values did the group have? What activities did you engage in?
How did you learn to be a part of this group and adopt these qualities?
Individual: individuals construct meaning out of what they already know and through their interactions with the environment. Social: Groups or cultures construct meaning together out of what the group or culture already knows and experiences.
Vygotskys extension: Individuals construct meaning through their interaction with others (i.e., they internalize the meaning constructed by the group or culture as they become enculturated).
Authentic Activity
Real world Complex Meaningful Social
How would the teacher education program be different if it were based on an apprenticeship model (i.e., if the whole thing was like an extended student teaching assignment)? What would be the advantages/disadvantages?
of Learners
Joint problem solving Student directed inquiry Dialogue Everyone not learning the same things Note: This is a collaborative form of problem-based learning. Hence, it fits with both individual and social constructivism.
Diversity
What
are some of the educational implications of Vygotskys belief that our thought and intelligence comes from our society and culture (through the internalization of culturally constructed mental tools)?
Some implications
Must be aware of cultural mismatch (mental tools of home culture dont match up with mental tools required in school).
Example: types of questions used at home vs. school (Brice-Heath). Example: use of talk-story in Native Hawaiian culture.
Note: Formal thought is internalized language; language comes from society; hence the mind is a product of society.
Marx said that religion is the opium of the masses. More recently, Minnesota governor and ex-pro wrestler Jesse Ventura said that religion is for the weak minded. Would Vygotsky agree? What about Piaget?