MODULE 5:
Vgotsky Socio-cultural
Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Uniting
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
 Who is Vygotsky, his background ?
 Enumerate the Two Main Principles/Elements
of Socio-Cultural theory.
 What are the two features of Zone Proximal
Development?
 What are the 4 Basic Principles Underlying
the Vygotsky Framework/
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
 “The Mozart of Psychology”
 Lev Semonovich Vygotsky was born in Western Russia on November 5, 1986.His
father, Semi L’vovich, founded the “Society of Education in Gomel”, and held a
wide range of active interest including foreign language, history, literature,
theater and arts. His mother was educated as teacher.
 In 1917, he graduated from Moscow University with a degree in Law.
 Vygotsky completed 270 scientific articles,numerous,lectures and 10 books
based on a wide range of Marxist-based psychological and teaching theories.
 He is considered a seminal thinker in psychology, and much of his work is still
discovered and explored today.
 He died on June 10, 1934 at 37 after long battle with TB.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Vygotsky Theory is that social interaction plays a very
important in cognitive development.
Did not focus on the individual child but on the child as
a product of social interaction, especially with adults.
Focus on dynamic interactions rather than child by
himself.
People thinking differs dramatically between cultures
because different cultures stress different things.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
1. The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
 Refers to anyone who has better understanding
or higher ability level than the learner.
 Normally thought of as being a teacher, trainer,
or older, adult, but MKO could also peers , a
younger person, even computers.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
2. Zone of Proximal Development
 Difference between what child can accomplish
alone and s/he can accomplish with the
guidance of another.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
I. Scaffolding
• Appropriate assistance given by the teacher to
assist the learner accomplish a task.
• Requires that an instructor shows example how
to solve a problem, while controlling the
learning environment so that students can take
things step by step expanding their knowledge
without excessive frustration.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
II.
Reciprocal Teaching
• A highly successful teaching method, it provides
an environment of open dialogue between
student and teacher which goes beyond a simple
question and answer session.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
1) Children construct their knowledge.
2) Development cannot be separated from its social
context.
3) Learning is mediated.
4) Language plays a central role in mental
development.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
1. Lower Mental Function
 Are those with which we are born, are the
natural functions and are genetically
determined.
2. Higher Mental Function
 Are acquired and developed through social
interaction.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
 Sociocultural theory considers learning as a
semiotic process where participation in sociallymediated activities is essential.
 Social interaction emphasized that effective
learning happens through participation in social
activities, making the social context of learning
crucial.
 Vgotsky theory was important in education since
these works provide tools for the development of
individuals learning.
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
References
Facilitating Learning A metacognition process, Maria Rita D. Lucas & Brenda
Corpuz, Publishedd by Lorimar Publishing,coyright 2007
www.slideshare.com
www.youtube.com
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education

Vygotsky’s Socio-Cultural Theory
Pamela G. Virtusio
Batangas Eastern Colleges
College of Education