The two learning theories for students with disabilities are the constructivist and behaviorist theory respectively. In the constructivist classroom, the focus shifts from the teacher to the students. Students are not empty vessels, which are filled by teachers but instead the students are actively involved in their own process of learning.
Piaget’s cognitive development theory (1970) comprises of four main stages namely the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational and formal operational stages. Each stage concentrates on a specific age group of the learners (Shroff, 2015). Sensorimotor stage considers individuals of age 0-2 and in this period, the child is assumed to appreciate objects in his environment through his sense: tasting, …show more content…
He demonstrated the importance of language in learning by demonstrating that in infants, communication is a pre-requisite to the child’s acquisition of concepts and language. But, he suggests that people learn with meaning and personal significance in mind, not just through attention to the facts: Vygotsky believed that learning takes place within the Zone of Proximal Development. He described it as a place and space where educators share their content knowledge, expertise, and experience with the learner. An example of social constructivist in the classroom may be where a teacher and a group of students form a group and take turns to lead the dialogues on a topic. Therefore the group members are able to apply cognitive strategies such as questioning, summarising and clarifying,. This creates the ZPD through collaboration and critical thinking. Improvement in the ZPD involves intersubjectivity, scaffolding and guided …show more content…
According to this school of thought, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states and therefore emotions, moods and cognitions would be too subjective. Any person, regardless of his or her background, can be trained to act in a particular manner given the right conditioning (John B. Watson). Learning can also occur through rewards and punishments. Behaviorist B.F. Skinner described operant conditioning as the process in which learning can occur through reinforcement and punishment. For example, if a parent praises their child every time they pick up their toys, the desired behavior is consistently reinforced. As a result, the child will become more likely to clean up messes.
A good teacher will acknowledge that behaviorism and constructivism both have their merits and must be combined in appropriate doses. It will depend on the subject and situation and definitely the different abilities of the
Piaget’s cognitive development theory (1970) comprises of four main stages namely the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational and formal operational stages. Each stage concentrates on a specific age group of the learners (Shroff, 2015). Sensorimotor stage considers individuals of age 0-2 and in this period, the child is assumed to appreciate objects in his environment through his sense: tasting, …show more content…
He demonstrated the importance of language in learning by demonstrating that in infants, communication is a pre-requisite to the child’s acquisition of concepts and language. But, he suggests that people learn with meaning and personal significance in mind, not just through attention to the facts: Vygotsky believed that learning takes place within the Zone of Proximal Development. He described it as a place and space where educators share their content knowledge, expertise, and experience with the learner. An example of social constructivist in the classroom may be where a teacher and a group of students form a group and take turns to lead the dialogues on a topic. Therefore the group members are able to apply cognitive strategies such as questioning, summarising and clarifying,. This creates the ZPD through collaboration and critical thinking. Improvement in the ZPD involves intersubjectivity, scaffolding and guided …show more content…
According to this school of thought, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner regardless of internal mental states and therefore emotions, moods and cognitions would be too subjective. Any person, regardless of his or her background, can be trained to act in a particular manner given the right conditioning (John B. Watson). Learning can also occur through rewards and punishments. Behaviorist B.F. Skinner described operant conditioning as the process in which learning can occur through reinforcement and punishment. For example, if a parent praises their child every time they pick up their toys, the desired behavior is consistently reinforced. As a result, the child will become more likely to clean up messes.
A good teacher will acknowledge that behaviorism and constructivism both have their merits and must be combined in appropriate doses. It will depend on the subject and situation and definitely the different abilities of the