Chapter 2 Learning Log

What? I learned about the different parts of the the body that are involved in making memories and learning. When a child learns, new synapses are formed and strengthened between neurons. I also learned about Piaget and his stages. He believed that children went through stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Through these stages, children grow in their learning through their perception of what is around them. Vygotsky was also in the reading. He had theories of his own about cognitive development. His beliefs are about the importance of society and culture in promoting cognitive development. Vygotsky was more involved in observing the students when they interacted with themselves and other students, as well as adults (teachers). Overall, Piaget and Vygotsky introduced possibly the most important factors in cognitive development when it comes to acquiring language.
So What? It is important for me to know these things as a future teacher because it is important to know where in cognitive development my students are so that I am able to adapt my teaching methods to be able to get through to my students. There will be diversity in my classroom in the students' cognitive development, so I need to know what to do in order to properly teach the students. If I can teach all of my students equally, despite their diversity in cognitive learning, I will be a much better teacher than if I couldn't.
Now What? I will be able to use the different methods suggested by Vygotsky in my classroom, such as apprenticeship, scaffolding, guided participation, and many others. I will also be able to assess my students adequately now that I know what to expect from that at certain places in cognitive development. Now that I have learned about Vygotsky's theories, I have many new techniques I can apply in the classroom to assess where in the cognitive development my students are.