Learning Theories Concepts And Principles Education Essay Example

have a tendency to imitate behaviors they see on television. This theory can be applied by any adult who enters a classroom environment. The teacher will impart desired behaviors and attitudes to the students; hence it is crucial for all adults within the school to exhibit and uphold socially acceptable behavior and attitudes. Jean Piaget, a renowned constructivist theorist, proposed that children employ cognitive structures known as schemes to organize their thoughts. Furthermore, he identified four stages of learning: sensorimotor stage (0-2 years), preoperational stage (2-7 years), concrete operational stage, and formal operational stage. In the sensorimotor stage, children learn through their senses and movements. They believe that objects cease to exist when they are out of sight at this phase. During the preoperational stage, which occurs between 2-7 years old, children begin using language to comprehend and develop concepts. They can classify objects based on one characteristic but struggle with multiple categories such as both shape and sizeChildren at this stage may exhibit egocentric and animistic thinking, attributing human emotions to objects that are not alive. They should be able to group objects together, comprehend number concepts, understand logical relationships in problem-solving, and grasp the idea of conservation (such as understanding that the amount of liquid remains the same even if it is transferred into a different container). The volume of water in two molded dishes stays unchanged. This phase is called concrete operational and occurs between ages 7 and 11. During this phase, children acquire the ability to see things from others' perspectives, use tangible materials for logical operations, and manipulate categories and groups. The final phase, known as formal operational, takes place

at age 11 and beyond. In this phase, children develop confident logical thinking skills, abstract reasoning abilities, as well as scientific hypothesis drawing and interpretation skills. Formal operational thinking enables the development of values, ideals, and philosophical understanding. However,Piaget's theory has faced criticisms such as its reliance on a limited sample of similar children,the lack of solid evidence,and potential confusion due to Piaget's use of complex language.Moreover,fellow constructivist Jerome Bruner argued that certain concepts may surpass a learner's comprehension depending on their developmental stage.This theory can be easily applied to any stage of primary school learning. Children in upper primary who have reached the formal operational phase can understand abstract constructs and theoretical thoughts. However, those who have not reached this phase will struggle to comprehend them. Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development, known as societal constructivism, emphasizes the importance of learning through social interactions (Jarvis, 2005, p28). Vygotsky introduced the concept of the 'zone of proximal development' (ZPD), which consists of three main areas. The first area is the child's actual development level, representing what they already know. The second area is the zone of proximal development, where the child is ready to learn with guidance. The third area is beyond the zone of proximal development, where the child is not yet able or prepared to learn. As educators, it is crucial to assess and teach at the appropriate level. Vygotsky's theory of the zone of proximal development has been proven effective in the classroom.Children experience the most success within their ZPD although some may also be able to learn beyond it with assistance from their teacher.Jerome Bruner, an American psychologist influenced

by Jean Piaget's theories, developed his own cognitive development theory that includes staging. Scaffolding is a structured approach to help students acquire new knowledge and skills. This approach involves providing hints or clues rather than giving the answer outright, encouraging independent thinking. Schools widely embrace this theory, as it encourages students to find answers based on their existing knowledge. The use of scaffolding in the classroom builds confidence and allows children to draw their own conclusions using teacher-provided hints. Another principle outlined by Bruner is the spiral curriculum, which aligns with Piaget's theory of building upon previous stages of development. According to Bruner, each stage should involve revisiting fundamental concepts to strengthen existing knowledge until complete understanding is achieved. By incorporating Piaget's theory into his spiral curriculum principle, Bruner's approach becomes more robust and less vulnerable to criticism.