Sociocultural Theory Essay

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Sociocultural theory has made a great impact on the learning and teaching process. Vygotsky’s theory advocates that learning is a process where participation in socially mediated activities is essential. This theory argues that social interaction precedes development, consciousness and cognition are the end product of socialization and social behavior.
Vygotsky’s theory is one of the foundations of constructivism. (Vygotsky, 1978) According to Vygotsky (1978 cited Lantolf 2000) the sociocultural environment presents the child with a variety of task as well as engages the child in his world through the tools and asserts three major themes, which are as follows:
Social interaction which plays a fundamental role in the process of cognitive development.
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Mathematics employs symbols to which meaning has been subscribed: therefore it is a language. Visual art employs symbols, music carries meaning so it is a language.
Vygotsky’s theory to the teaching and learning process.
Vygotsky’s model of teaching and learning has significantly influences “early literacy” programmes, such as Reading Recovery and Guided Reading.
Ivic (1989), as cited by Daniels (2001). Stated, school does not always teach systems of knowledge but in many cases overburdens its pupils with isolated and meaningless facts; school curricula do not incorporate tools and intellectual techniques, all too often schools do not provide a setting for social interaction conducive to knowledge construction (p.98). Vygotsky central topic was the Zone of Proximal Development (ZDP), which uses social interaction with more knowledgeable others to move development forward.

Students who are in the ZDP, need active teaching.
“It’s a waste of time to teach kids what they already know and what they cannot do even with assistance” (Utah education network, 2005, p.11). Therefore Vygotsky’s theory promotes the belief “what is learned must be taught” (Wilhelm,
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In scaffolding the adult does not simplify the task, but the role of the learner is simplified through the graduated intervention of the teacher (Greenfield, 1984, p.119).
Applications of Vygotsky's Theory to Education
Many schools have traditionally held a transmissionist or instructionist model in which a teacher or lecturer transmit information to students. In contrast, Vygotsky’s theory promotes learning contexts in which students play an active role in learning. Roles of the teacher and student are therefore shifted, as a teacher should collaborate with his or her student in order to help facilitate meaning construction in students. Learning therefore becomes a reciprocal experience for the student and teacher. (Vygotsky, 1978)
The most important application of Vygotsky's theory to education is in his concept of a zone of proximal development. This concept is important because teachers can use it as a guide to a child's development. It allows a teacher to know what a student is able to achieve through the use of a mediator and thus enables the teacher to help the child attain that level by

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