Lev Vygotsky

Theory to Practice

Importance of Culture

• Vygotsky believes that a child learns best through guidance from a “more knowledgeable other” (MKO).

• Teacher’s will collaborate with students by summarizing, asking questions, clarifying and predicting.

• Teacher or MKO will help structure a task so the child may complete the task successfully.

• Collaborative learning is key.

• Imitation leads to development.

• Only instruction and activities that fall within the zone promote development

• Offer hints and prompts that will assist in the child's understanding of the topic. (scaffolding)

• "A person's cognitive development is largely influenced by their surrounding culture".
• Children are born with basic biological constraints on their minds.
• A child is said to inherit a set of cultural tools.
• These tools allow children to use their basic mental abilities to be able to adapt to the culture they live in.

Scaffolding

• When dialogue is used to support an individuals development and understanding.

• The teacher or "more knowledgeable other" takes on the role of the "scaffolder" (Pritchard 153).

• The teacher will provide challenges that the student needs to achieve higher learning.

• Scaffolding is only effective when implemented correctly, otherwise it can hinder the child's learning.

Importance of

Speech

Zone of Proximal Development

• "The distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers".
• Defines those functions that have not yet matured but are in the process of maturation
• Children can observe and imitate or even receive guided instruction to acquire new knowledge and skills.

Social Development theory

• "Prior to mastering his own behavior, the child begins to master his surroundings with the help of speech" (Vygotsky 25).

• Three types of speech: social, private, and inner speech.

• Language is a vital tool to aide cognitive development according to Vygotsky.

• Vygotsky believed we equip learners with strategies for thinking through language.

• Self-talk is used as a guidance technique.

• "Sometimes speech becomes of such a vital importance that, if not permitted to use it, young children cannot accomplish the given task." (Vygotsky 26)

• Social interaction plays a fundamental role in the development of cognition.

• "Vygotsky states cognitive development stems from social interactions from guided learning within the zone of proximal development as children and their partner's co-construct knowledge."

• Every function in the child's development appears twice. First on the social level, then on the individual level.

• This theory has a lot to do with language and its link to "inner speech"

• Vygotsky believes full cognitive development requires social interaction.

• Learning is a social process.

Lev Vygotsky

By: Erin Hubbard and

Angelica Soriano

Works Cited

Biography

• Cherry, Kendra. “Why Lev Vygotsky Was One of the Most Influential Psychologists.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 16 Sept. 2019, www.verywellmind.com/lev-vygotsky-biography-2795533.
• Cherry, Kendra. “Sociocultural Theory: Examples and Applications.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 26 Nov. 2019, www.verywellmind.com/what-is-sociocultural-theory-2795088.
• Farr, Tom. (February 2020). Vygotsky's Theory of Cognitive Development. udemy.com/blog/vygotskys-theory-of-cognitive-development.
• McLeod, S.A. (2018 Aug 5). Lev Vygotsky. Simplypsychology:https:www.simplypsychology.org/vygotksy.html
• Mcleod, Saul. “What Is the Zone of Proximal Development?” Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding | Simply Psychology, www.simplypsychology.org/Zone-of-Proximal-Development.html.
• Sarikas, Christine. (2020 Jan 4). "Vygotsky Scaffolding: What It Is and How to Use It": blog.prepscholar.com/vygotsky-scaffolding-zone-of-proximal-development.
• https://coggle.it/diagram/WJHE-QptLgABlFh7/t/vygotsky's-theory-role-of-culture-and-language

• Born: November 17, 1896 in Orsha, Belarus
• Died: June 11, 1934 in Moscow, Russia
• Russian psychologist that is best known for his sociocultural theory.
• He believed that social interaction played a critical role in a child's learning.
• Imitation, guided learning, and collaborative learning all play a critical part in his theory.
• Attended Moscow State University and graduated with a degree in law in 1917.
• He studied sociology, linguistics, psychology and philosophy.
• In 1924 he attended the Institute of Psychology in Moscow and this is when his formal work in psychology started.
• He was a social constructivist.