Module 7: Blog post 1

-There are two main topics that are being discussed in this chapter. They both have to deal with constructivism. Constructivism definied by the textbook is a model in psychology that characterizes learning as a process of actively constructing knowledge. There are two theorisits Piaget and Vygotsky that use this theory of constructivism when explaining intellectual development. Both of their theories explain intellectual development differently. Piaget is considered to be an individual constructivist, which he belives that people use the cognitive process to develop by experiences, where Vygotsky is a social constructivist , which somene would use their cognvite process to develop by a social/cultural experience. Piaget uses four basic tenets when describing this developmental process, biological maturation, active exploration of the physical environment, sociale experiences, and equilibrium. When these are all achieved then a child can evolve as a thinker. Vygotsky simply belives that someones culture and their social climate they are surronded by, specifically their human mentors, influences children to evolve as thinkers. These two theories do make sense. As a thinker experiences that occur around us question our thinking and what we think is correct. Also our environment and cultures also make us believe certain things and disagree with others. Therefore, I belive that most of these theories make sense.

- I would want to learn more about how violent video games and tv shows effect the intellectual development of children. Piaget belives that experiences are what shape our development as a thinker. Therefore, I would like to research and find out how children that are surronded by violence constantly differ then children that are not. Also, I would want to learn how to effectively incorporat these two theories into my classroom to improve my abilities of teaching my students new information.

-Considering what Piaget and Vygotsky say about development and learning, why might play be beneficial? (How could it promote development, learning, or both?) Describe the (separate) reasons for each theorist.
Play can be beneficial when dealing with development because students can effectively figure out and learn material on their own. Self discovery I belive is one of the most effective way to learn because you will remember this information better then someone just reading you off new material which will shortly leave your mind. If you continue to teach yourself something then one can build on their newly attained information and develop additional information overtime.
Piaget's theory primarily deals with learning from experience therefore, when a student is playing on their own they may deal with new experiences that will help them develop. Also during play time the four basic tenets that Piaget explains are being used, which he suggests is what one needs to evolve as a thinker. For example if they are playing with a hammer and they hurt themselves, they will learn from this experience that a hammer can cause pain and next time they will be more cautious when using one. Then from this they can understand pain and maybe in the near future be aware of other things that can cause pain as well. Vygotskys theory play maybe beneficial because he believes at first children learn by who influences them and their social culture they are surronded by. He explains this by using the Zone of Proximal Development which are skills that a child is cognitively developing, but then is given help by someone who is more knowledgeable in the area of concentration. Then later on as children start to understand these basic skills, something called internalization occurs where aid in completing these tasks is taken away and a child is able to do them on their own. Through play children are using internalization because they are doing and learning things on their own. So, play is a very helpful tool when children are cognitively developing as thinkers.