PED3701 Assignment 2
6/28/22 UNISA
, Question 1
1.1 Piaget’s formal operational stage begins at around age 11 or 12 and
continues throughout adulthood. Does this suggest that once one reaches this
level of cognitive development that they plateau? Or, are there different levels
of formal operations? (4)
According to Piaget's theory, the formal operational stage is the highest stage of
cognitive development. Therefore, he implies that no further cognitive development
will occur after this stage. However, more recent theories and studies contradict this
(Newman & Newman2012). Adults think differently than teenagers. This higher level
of cognitive development is called post-formal thinking or reasoning. There is a
problem-finding stage, which is the fifth stage of cognitive development (Arlin in Rice
& Dolgin 2008). This stage can only be reached when the formal operational stage is
complete. This level represents the ability to find problems and ask general
questions about problems that are not well defined.
1.2 According to which theory is group-work encouraged? Why does this
scientist see it as important? (4)
Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory, Vygotsky's theory, supports the use of co-learning.
In collaborative learning, learners work together to help each other. Peers usually
work within each other's ZPD and provide each other with a model for some
advanced thinking. During this process, private speech is observable by the group.
H. Learners benefit from each other (think aloud) when they hear group members
talking about the problem themselves (Slavin2012). Research has shown that those
who use private language to guide complex tasks can perform the task better than
those who do not use private language (Berk, Mann & Ogan 2006; Levine &
Munsch2011). Thus, Vygotsky's ZPD has led many teachers to recognize that good
learning does not develop naturally, but in collaboration with others. Therefore,
interpersonal relationships play an important role in all educational and learning
situations.
6/28/22 UNISA
, Question 1
1.1 Piaget’s formal operational stage begins at around age 11 or 12 and
continues throughout adulthood. Does this suggest that once one reaches this
level of cognitive development that they plateau? Or, are there different levels
of formal operations? (4)
According to Piaget's theory, the formal operational stage is the highest stage of
cognitive development. Therefore, he implies that no further cognitive development
will occur after this stage. However, more recent theories and studies contradict this
(Newman & Newman2012). Adults think differently than teenagers. This higher level
of cognitive development is called post-formal thinking or reasoning. There is a
problem-finding stage, which is the fifth stage of cognitive development (Arlin in Rice
& Dolgin 2008). This stage can only be reached when the formal operational stage is
complete. This level represents the ability to find problems and ask general
questions about problems that are not well defined.
1.2 According to which theory is group-work encouraged? Why does this
scientist see it as important? (4)
Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory, Vygotsky's theory, supports the use of co-learning.
In collaborative learning, learners work together to help each other. Peers usually
work within each other's ZPD and provide each other with a model for some
advanced thinking. During this process, private speech is observable by the group.
H. Learners benefit from each other (think aloud) when they hear group members
talking about the problem themselves (Slavin2012). Research has shown that those
who use private language to guide complex tasks can perform the task better than
those who do not use private language (Berk, Mann & Ogan 2006; Levine &
Munsch2011). Thus, Vygotsky's ZPD has led many teachers to recognize that good
learning does not develop naturally, but in collaboration with others. Therefore,
interpersonal relationships play an important role in all educational and learning
situations.
