English Presentation

Crafting a Framework for Thought:
Jean Piaget and levvygotsky on developmental education

Tyler ColeElizabeth ClarkENG 1020Metropolitan State CollegeFall 200910 November 2009

Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
Swiss Psychologist of Cognitive Development
Published first paper at age 10
PhD in Natural Science
Developed theory of Cognitive Development
Age Appropriate Learning in Stages

Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934)
Russian Psychologist of Cognitive Development
Conducted Research during Soviet Era
Wrote six major volumes in 10 years
Developed Theory of Cognitive Development
Emphasized Societal Impacts on Development

Where They Differ:

So who’s right?

THESIS
“I have drawn a quite clear general skeleton, but one still full of gaps…in filling them in one will be led to differentiate its connections…without at the same time altering the main lines of the system” (Piaget qtd. in Bringuier 144).
Lev Vygotsky’s theory of developmental education provides a more versatile foundation to be used in schools today due to its innovative concepts of the zone of proximal development, Vygotskian play throughout development, and societal impacts on growth.

Looking at the Zone of Proximal Development
Basic Concept: Guided Instruction
Independent Performance vs Assisted Performance
Assigned Roles Brings Order
Teacher as the diagnostician
Scaffolding through guidance

Doesn’t the ZPD take away from Children’s Discoveries?
The Zone of Proximal Development:
Fosters Critical Thinking
Is more Pragmatic
Is a good gauge of development
Teaches reciprocal teaching
Actively Builds on Knowledge

Works Cited
Bringuier, Jean-Claude. Conversations with Jean Piaget. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1980. 15-143. Print.
Daniels, Harry. Vygotsky and Pedagogy. New York: Routledge, 2001. 5-68. Print.
Newman, Fred, and Lois Holzman. Lev Vygotsky: Revolutionary Scientist. New York: Routledge, 1993. 32-86. Print.
"Overview ." ED.gov U.S. Department of Education, 1 July 2009. Web. 4 Nov. 2009 <http://www.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml>.

Continued
Papert, Seymour . "Jean Piaget." The Time 100Conversations with Jean Piaget. Time, 2009. Web. 4 Nov. 2009 <http://www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/piaget.html>.
Typhon, Anastasia, and Jacques Voneche. Piaget - Vygotsky: The Social Genesis of Thought. London: Psychology Press, 1996. 174-86. Print.
Waite-Stupiansky, Sandra. Building Understanding Together. Boston: Delmar Publishers, 1997. 24-26. Print.