Educational Psychology

This page contains blogs posted by me. These blogs will have some reference to topics discussed in class or in our small group meetings.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Basketball Game & Vygotsky's Theory


So, instead of going to class last Monday I went to the Crestwood boy's basketball game in Cresco. However as I was there, I observed a theory we have been talking about; Vygotsky's Theory. According to Vygotsky, mental functions have external, or social, connections. Vygotsky also stresses the importance of social influence especially in instruction on a child's cognitive development. Also, he discusses the zone of proximal development (ZPD). This term referrs to tasks that are too difficult for a child to master alone, but can be learned with guidance and assistance.

The basketball game reflects Vygotsky's theory well. In basketball the coach becomes the external instructional influence Vygotsky referrs to. Players are able to perform the skills on their own, however to play as a team and combine their skills with those of others requires the help of the coach. This is an example of the (ZPD) term.

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