According to Piaget, there is a profound difference between
development and learning. Piaget’s model is divided into stages. Learning is
lateral movement within a given stage. It can always happen and can be
encouraged or prompted. Development, on the other hand, is movement into new
stages. This, according to Piaget, only happens with time and biological
maturation.
According to Piaget, critical thinking would not promote
development. Only time and maturation can aid development. Critical thinking
could, however, promote learning.
I would use Piaget’s model in my classroom because I think
it is important to know the level of development of my students and teach
accordingly. It also takes pressure off of the teacher and allows the student
to grow at his own pace.
There is a growing push towards technology. I think that
this would interest Piaget. It is an example of where students learn and move
within their stages very quickly. I wonder what he would think about how technology tries to make the abstract concrete.
I think your thought related to technology is an interesting one. Children are being exposed to technology from a very young age, so that can possibly increase their development and make them move from stage to stage quicker. Since development is based on the child's experience, technology would eventually have an effect on the development because it will increasingly be a part of a child's experience starting from a the early months of growth.
ReplyDeletePiaget created the stages as a loose framework to describe how development and learning happen in relation to each other. There is not really a defining moment per se, it is just that children become capable of different types of thinking. For example when moving from sensorimotor stage to pre-operational stage a child moves away from egocentric thinking.
ReplyDeleteI have had this same question. What are some signs that one will notice when a child first makes the move from the pre-operational stage to the concrete operational?
ReplyDeleteI like Zahra read this and enjoyed the comment on technology. Piaget had no concept that technology be what it is today. Technology is integrated into each classroom so much now, that children develop as a result of technology. I think technology helps mature students, and helps them develop in other ways, and helps them move almost faster into a new stage. It helps being able to think in two dimensions, and being able to go back and forth. I think technology is an interesting topic to see if development is increased scientifically or not.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your mention of technology as well. I think technology can be a great example of scaffolding for students who are trying to learn because it provides a more personalized approach and can direct students in their learning.
ReplyDeleteI really like your question of what Piaget would think about how technology tries to make the abstract concrete! I'm not sure what you were thinking, but things like videogames definitely create a more concrete and sensory experience than children could have in other contexts.... I think it would be a new space to explore!
ReplyDeleteDo students learn more quickly using technology or develop more quickly? I agree that some children tend to appear to violate their 'stage' when using something like an ipad.... I'm sure other theorists would have an explanation for this (like Vygotsky!)