{"id":4805,"date":"2024-05-30T21:54:31","date_gmt":"2024-05-30T21:54:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/?p=4805"},"modified":"2024-05-30T21:54:33","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T21:54:33","slug":"sociocultural-theory-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/sociocultural-theory-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Sociocultural Theory of Learning in the Classroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f Video Lesson<\/summary>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Lev Vygotsky&#039;s Sociocultural Theory of Learning (5 Key Elements)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gPKV2f7uDAo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f Study Card<\/summary>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sociocultural-theory-examples-and-definition-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"sociocultural theory example and definition, explained below\" class=\"wp-image-29684\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sociocultural-theory-examples-and-definition-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sociocultural-theory-examples-and-definition-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sociocultural-theory-examples-and-definition-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/sociocultural-theory-examples-and-definition.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f Introduction<\/summary>\n<p>Vygotsky&#8217;s sociocultural theory of learning explains that learning occurs during social interactions between individuals. It is one of the dominant <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/learning-theories\/\">theories of education<\/a> today. It believes learning happens first through social interaction and second through individual internalization of social behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the sociocultural theory, students and teachers form relationships in the classroom to help the student learn. The relationships help facilitate social interaction and <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/active-learning-pros-cons\/\">active participation in the learning<\/a> tasks. Students learn through observation, listening and talking through their tasks.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"one\">Sociocultural Theory Definition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sociocultural theory, also known as social constructivism or socioculturalism, is defined by educational scholars as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com.au\/books?id=CkXmMQEACAAJ&amp;dq=Teaching+making+a+difference&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwim5NeK1Y3iAhULM48KHWlYDHoQ6wEILDAA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Nagel (2012, p. 83)<\/strong><\/a> argues that sociocultural theory \u201creflects the view that learning and development is not just a process of increased mental sophistication but is also mediated through social and cultural interactions.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com.au\/books?id=f0BuDwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=learning+theories&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjixMvp043iAhXW8HMBHeuaDpsQ6wEIMTAB#v=onepage&amp;q=vygotsky&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Bates (2019, p. 19)<\/strong><\/a> argues that through sociocultural theory, \u201cknowledge and interactions are constructed through social interactions with family, friends, teachers and peers.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com.au\/books?id=nNcoAO5Za9YC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=learning+theories&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjixMvp043iAhXW8HMBHeuaDpsQ6wEIKzAA#v=onepage&amp;q=sociocultural&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Leonard (2002, p. 178)<\/strong><\/a>, in a definition I quite like, states: \u201csociocultural theory focuses on the causal relationship between social interaction and individual cognitive development.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t forget to paraphrase the definition to show your marker that you have a <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/how-to-paraphrase\/\">good understanding<\/a> of the theory. Then, reference these sources at the end of the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if I were to paraphrase the definitions above, I\u2019d say it something like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Sociocultural theorists believe that learning happens as a result of social interactions and takes place within a specific cultural environment (Bates, 2019; Leonard, 2002; Nagel, 2012).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Concepts in Sociocultural Theory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Learning is influenced by Social Interactions<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193.png\" alt=\"children in conversation\" class=\"wp-image-38064\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-193-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the most important concept in the sociocultural theory of education: we learn <em>through social interactions<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This concept differentiates itself significantly from the \u2018cognitive-constructivist\u2019 ideas of Piaget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Piaget saw children as \u2018lone scientists\u2019 who learn by exploring their environment and absorbing information. By contrast, sociocultural theorists (like Lev Vygotsky) see learning as fundamentally shaped through interactions between children and the adults in their environment. This starts from early childhood and keeps going &#8211; right up to adulthood!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cognitive-Constructivist Theory (Piaget, Froebel and Montessori):<\/strong> Parents and teachers (usually) stand back and let children learn in solitude in resource-rich environments (see also: <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/constructivism-in-the-classroom\/\">constructivism in the classroom<\/a>);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sociocultural Theory (Vygotsky, Bruner and Rogoff):<\/strong> Parents and teachers usually interact with children to guide their learning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, there is a <em>bigger role of the teacher or parent<\/em> in sociocultural theory than perhaps any other educational theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/cognitive-tools\/\">Related: 5 Examples of Cognitive Tools for Teaching and Learning<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">2. Learning is influenced by Culture<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-196.png\" alt=\"multicultural kids\" class=\"wp-image-38069\" style=\"width:365px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-196.png 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-196-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-196-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-196-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/image-196-70x70.png 70w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Above I told you that sociocultural theorists think that learning is influenced by social interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The logical extension of this belief is that children learn differently <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/social-environment-examples\/\">depending on their social environments<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s compare a child learning in a traditional Indigenous Australian culture vs. in a contemporary Western classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the traditional Indigenous Australian culture, children aren\u2019t sitting in a classroom \u2013 no way! They\u2019re off learning on the job. The sons are learning to hunt kangaroo with their fathers while the daughters are off learning to hunt turtles with their mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the contemporary Western classroom, children are sitting in classrooms learning to <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/importance-of-reading-books\/\">read books<\/a> day in, day out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How might these children\u2019s learning differ?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The traditional Indigenous children will probably be fantastic at throwing spears and spotting animal footprints in the soil. They might be very good at walking silently to get close to animals, and they may even be very good at creating clothing out of animal skins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The contemporary Western children will probably be very good at reading books and standing patiently in line-ups before entering the classroom. But if they end up out in the Australian outback on their own? They\u2019ll probably starve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that Piaget\u2019s universal stages of children\u2019s cognitive development may be a bit wrong. Children may development very, very differently around the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Key Sociocultural Theorists<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Three key theorists in the development of sociocultural theory are: Vygotsky, Bruner and Rogoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Lev Vygotsky (1896 \u2013 1934)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The most well-known sociocultural theorist, Vygotsky developed many key terms like \u2018Zone of Proximal Development\u2019 and \u2018More Knowledgeable Other\u2019 (see below). He wrote the influential text <em>Thinking and speech <\/em>(1934) (also published as \u2018<em>Thought and Language\u2019<\/em>) and had a collection of his other works published under the title <em>Mind in Society <\/em>in 1978. Despite his scholarly work taking place in 1920s and 30s Russia, his ideas only gained popularity in the West in the 1980s.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Jerome Bruner (1915 \u2013 2016)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the lead of Vygotsky, Bruner continued to prosecute the argument that language shapes thought. He worked in Harvard and Oxford Universities and wrote extensively on the role of the parent and teacher in influencing language. He videotaped interactions between parents and children to examine how children imitate and internalize their parents\u2019 language. In 1983 he wrote <em>Child&#8217;s talk: Learning to Use Language<\/em>. His most influential contribution today remains the concept of \u2018scaffolding\u2019, discussed below. Bruner also coined the famous <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/spiral-curriculum\/\">spiral curriculum concept<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Barbara Rogoff (1950 &#8211; now)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/people.ucsc.edu\/~brogoff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Barbara Rogoff<\/a> is one of the most influential female developmental psychologists of all time, representing a break from the all-male establishment that <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/gender-bias-examples\/\">resulted from gender bias<\/a> in the academies of the 20<sup>th<\/sup> She completed a PhD exploring language development amongst the Tz&#8217;utujil Mayan people of Guatemala. Through her works, she reinforced the idea that language develops in unique cultural contexts. Her key contributions to sociocultural theory include the terms \u2018cognitive apprenticeships\u2019 and \u2018guided participation\u2019, discussed below.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Go Deeper: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/sociocultural-psychology\/\"><em>Sociocultural Psychology: An Overview<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"three\" style=\"text-transform:none\">Pros and Cons of the Sociocultural Theory of Learning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all theories, sociocultural theory has many positive and negative aspects. The theory has blindspots and limitations which you need to know about in order to minimize any harmful effects in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, on balance, it also has some amazingly useful elements that you should use regularly in your teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, let\u2019s take a look at the key benefits and limitations of the sociocultural theory for teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Pros<\/span> of Sociocultural Theory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sociocultural theory is one of the most useful theories for education. Most of us use it every day in classrooms!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few of the benefits of the theory for educators and learners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>You can leverage multiple experts\u2019 knowledge:<\/strong> One of my favorite aspects of sociocultural theory is that students learn from more than just the teacher. If we believe that learning through social interactions is ideal, then we would value bringing experts and practitioners into the classroom. You might bring in a firefighter to teach about fire safety or a soldier to speak on the importance of Remembrance Day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It can be inclusive of multiple cultural perspectives:<\/strong> Sociocultural theorists understand people of different cultures learn in different ways. What does this mean for learning? Well, it means that you as a teacher would want to learn what your students\u2019 cultural perspectives are and include them in your teaching. If a student comes from a storytelling culture, you might want to bring their stories into learning scenarios. This not only helps people of minority cultures in your classroom; but it helps all children learn to respect cultural difference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Differentiation is embedded into the theory: <\/strong>Differentiation is a <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/student-centered-learning-examples\/\">student-centered<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/pedagogical-skills\/\">pedagogical<\/a> concept that highlights the importance of changing up teaching for each student. Some students need easier tasks, some students need harder tasks. Theories like behaviorism <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/behaviorism\/\">fail to differentiate<\/a>. By contrast, sociocultural theory is very strong on differentiation due to the idea of ZPD.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Cons<\/span> of Sociocultural Theory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Teachers also need to be aware of the many limitations of sociocultural theory. Why? Well, because we should realize that different theories are needed in different circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Social learning isn\u2019t ideal in all situations!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, here are some limitations that seem to be inherent in this theory:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>It doesn\u2019t take into account children\u2019s emotions:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/humanism-examples\/\">theory of humanism<\/a> does a much, much better job of taking into account children\u2019s emotions than sociocultural theory. In fact, the socioculturalists are almost completely silent on the idea that children\u2019s emotions impact their learning. This is a big oversight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sociocultural classrooms can be extremely noisy:<\/strong> This is my biggest quarrel with social learning environments. Your classroom becomes so noisy and hard to manage that you need to be a very effective educator. You need to teach your students self-regulation and ensure students both say on task and keep their voices down so they don\u2019t distract others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Shy, timid or introverted students may struggle:<\/strong> I\u2019ve found many students who are shy or prefer learning in isolation have a lot of trouble in social learning environments. As a pretty introverted person myself, I get very exhausted in these environments and feel I could have learnt much more effectively in silence and solitude.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Students with sensory challenges find it hard:<\/strong> I\u2019ve had many students who struggle with the high-energy, noisy and active environment of a sociocultural classroom. The students I am particularly concerned about are students with autism who can really be set off by these challenging environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Differentiating learning for ZPD is very time consuming with big groups: <\/strong>As a teacher in social learning spaces, I can find it hard to differentiate my content so that students are all learning within their ZPD. To differentiate content 30 times is unrealistic. The best I can achieve is <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/classroom-layouts\/\">splitting students into table groups<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/emotion-in-education\/\">Related Post: What is the Importance of Emotions in Education?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"four\">How is the Sociocultural Theory used in Classrooms Today?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are four common <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/sociocultural-theory-examples\/\">examples of sociocultural theory<\/a> in classrooms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Table <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/classroom-layouts\/\">Group Layouts<\/a> are used to Support Social Interaction: <\/strong>By placing students into table groups, they are placed in situations where they can look at one another. This encourages them to discuss and interact while learning. You will commonly find table group settings in contemporary classroom, particularly in the early years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guests are Invited into the Classroom:<\/strong> Inviting guests into the classroom encourages social interactions between learners and experts in the \u2018real world\u2019. Teacher will often bring in key experts on the topics they\u2019re learning (often called \u2018incursions\u2019) to help children learn through interactions with real-life experts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Parent-Teacher Collaborations bring Culture into the Classroom: <\/strong>Teachers are widely encouraged these days to interact with and collaborate with parents on their teaching. By consulting with parents, teachers can learn more about their students\u2019 cultures and bring those desirable cultural values and culturally-specific ways of learning into the classroom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Play-Based Learning is Common in Early Childhood Centers:<\/strong> Play-based learning is one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/unstructured-play-based-learning\/\">most effective forms of learning<\/a>. Through play, children use language to interact with one another and help to move each other through their ZPD. Often, peers in play situations are the best \u2018more knowledgeable others\u2019 who teach their friends new ways of thinking and doing tasks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/classroom-layout-workstations-e1556800080785.jpg\" alt=\"table groups classroom layout for sociocultural teachers\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you think of more applications of sociocultural theory? Add them to the comments below and I\u2019ll add them to the official list in the post!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Glossary of Concepts in Sociocultural Theory<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 1. Internalization<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Internalization<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most important terms in the sociocultural theory is \u2018internalization\u2019. It\u2019s a term Vygotsky used to explain how we learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is really quite a simple concept: we internalize the knowledge that we observe, see and interact with. The more we\u2019re exposed to a certain way of thinking, the more we internalize those thought patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is different to Piaget\u2019s view, because Piaget didn\u2019t say much about how we were influenced by others. He didn\u2019t think we internalized others\u2019 ideas. Rather, he thought we came up with ideas all by ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let me break this difference down again:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Vygotksy\u2019s Internalization:<\/strong> Our ways of thinking are influenced by the thought patterns of those around use;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Piaget (not a sociocultural theorist):<\/strong> Our ways of thinking happen independent from the people around us.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This makes sense, when you think about it. If you\u2019re born into a Christian family, you\u2019re more likely to come to believe in Jesus than if you aren\u2019t. If you\u2019re born into an atheist family, you\u2019re more likely to internalize atheist ideas and grow up atheist, etc.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 2.\u00a0Active Learners Co-Construct Knowledge<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">2.&nbsp;Active Learners Co-Construct Knowledge<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sociocultural theorists believe learners can <em>influence each other<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, I\u2019m not just going to passively internalize and absorb the knowledge around me. I\u2019m going to mull it over, think about it, and propose new ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I might share those new thoughts and ideas with the people around me and they might think \u201cYeah, you\u2019ve made a really good point. I\u2019ll change my thinking a little based on your point, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s two important things I\u2019ve just highlighted here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Learning is Active:<\/strong> Socio-cultural theorists believe we have \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/agency-examples-sociology\/\">agency<\/a>\u2019. This means that we are capable of thinking about things and rejecting some ideas. We work best when we talk things through and come to informed conclusions based both on what we hear from others and our own internal logic;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Knowledge is Co-constructed:<\/strong> Sociocultural theorists believe we can influence <em>each other<\/em>. So, as groups in classrooms, we can all share our ideas together and come up with an agreed \u2018truth\u2019 or set of facts after we\u2019ve all thrown in our two cents and influenced one another\u2019s ideas.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 3. Language is a Tool<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:none\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">3. Language is a Tool<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Vygotsky\u2019s key ideas is that language helps us learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, this is in clear contrast to Piaget\u2019s idea that language is merely the expression of our learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a few examples of how we use language as a tool for our own learning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Writing down our thoughts on a pros and cons list;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reading out loud to help us remember the words better;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Telling ourselves what to do next. We might say \u201cget up!\u201d out loud to psych ourselves into standing up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The next point expands on this by highlighting one of Vygotsky\u2019s key arguments: that as our language skills get more complex, we internalize our language.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 4. Private Speech<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">4. Private Speech<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To Vygotsky, language is so integral to learning that we may not be very good at thinking anything in much detail, really, if we don\u2019t have command over language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vygotsky observed that children often speak out loud when thinking. They might just blurt out their thoughts as a matter of course. Next time you\u2019re watching a 2 or 3-year-old, observe how they might randomly start saying things: \u201cDuck!\u201d, \u201cLook there!\u201d, \u201cWater!\u201d as they go about their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>As we get older, we manage the skill of internalizing our language. This is probably most evident in reading. We being by reading out loud before mumbling the words and then, eventually, reading in silence.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, Vygotsky believes that language hasn\u2019t disappeared \u2013 language remains central to our thinking \u2013 but it has become <em>private speech<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interestingly, as I\u2019m learning Spanish, I\u2019ve become very conscious of this. I realize that I still <em>think <\/em>in English and have to translate my <em>thoughts<\/em> into Spanish. Hopefully one day I will master the mental tools of the Spanish language and learn to think in Spanish, too.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 5. The Zone of Proximal Development<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:none\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">5. The Zone of Proximal Development<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vygotksy&#039;s Zone of Proximal Development (Explained in 4 minutes)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sYF5HefF6wA?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps Vygotsky\u2019s most famous concept, Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) refers to the ideal learning \u2018zone\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vygotsky has three \u2018zones\u2019 of learning:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What we can do alone;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What we can do with the help of others;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is far too hard for us right now.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Vygotsky, the middle zone: what we can do with the help of others, is the zone where learning happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I like to think of the ZPD as the Goldilocks principle for learning:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you give a task that\u2019s too easy, well, not too much learning will occur;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you give a task that\u2019s too hard, not much learning will occur either;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you give a task that\u2019s not too easy or not too hard, the student will experience the best cognitive development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Vygotsky-Zone-of-Proximal-Development-e1558876971513.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>This idea is great for teachers. It shows us where we need to focus our teaching. It\u2019s our job to provide tasks that fit right inside a student\u2019s ZPD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To do this, we need to know our students very well. We need to conduct pre-tests of their <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/prior-knowledge\/\">prior knowledge<\/a> to figure out what they need to know next: something that we think is within their grasp if only we give them a little help along the way.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 6. Pretend Play<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Pretend Play<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Play. Play as a child. Play as an adult. Play, explore, and play some more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Well, according to Vygotsky, when we play we often work right within that zone of proximal development.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about a child playing: they might mimic their parents answering phone calls, sweeping the floor or putting on lipstick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When they\u2019re doing these play tasks, these children are practicing new tasks that are just beyond their grasp: they can\u2019t <em>really <\/em>answer a phone call. But we might play with them and say: \u201cPick up the phone\u201d and they\u2019ll hold the phone to their ear and say \u201cHello!\u201d and we\u2019ll clap and laugh with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>By playing, the child is practicing those just-too-hard tasks.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Even as adults we do this regularly. I might use a game simulation to practice how it feels to fly a plane before giving it a go myself. I might use 3D computer design software to see whether my ideas for my kitchen renovation will work out properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, I might practice playing baseball with my friends before the game on the weekend. Here, I\u2019m using fun and low-risk play-like activities to prepare myself for \u2018the big game\u2019 when I have to perform those tasks that are just a little hard right now!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/unstructured-play-based-learning\/\">Pros and Cons of Play-Based Learning<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/risky-play-in-early-childhood\/\">Benefits of Risky Play in Early Childhood<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 7. More Knowledgeable Others<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">More Knowledgeable Others<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Any student of sociocultural theories of education needs to know this term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vygotsky developed the term \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/more-knowledgeable-others-examples\/\">more knowledgeable other<\/a>\u2019 to explain how learning occurs through social interaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He thought that the best sorts of social influences for students\u2019 learning are people who are \u2026 well, more knowledgeable than us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>For our students, we are their more knowledgeable other. For children, their first and most important more knowledgeable other is their parents.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Other more knowledgeable others might be peers: older siblings or friends who are just a little bit smarter than us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A more knowledgeable other is a really great positive influence because they can help us more into our ZPD. If we\u2019re working with someone not as smart as us, they might not be as good for our learning. They can\u2019t extend us quite as much as our more knowledgeable other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good idea for teachers is to pair lower level students up with the top students so the top student can influence the lower-level student and help them move through the zone of proximal development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good more knowledgeable other will slowly release control of the learning from the teacher to the student. They might start by modelling information, then doing the task as a pair, then facilitating the learner while they do the task alone. This is often called guided practice or the <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/guided-practice\/\">I Do, We Do, You Do method<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Guided-Practice-e1558877077562.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/guided-practice\/\"><strong>Related Article: The I Do, We Do, You Do method of Scaffolding<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 8. Scaffolding<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Scaffolding<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This term is usually attributed to Vygotsky. But that\u2019s a myth. The person who came up with the term \u2018Scaffolding\u2019 is Bruner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we think of <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/instructional-scaffolding-strategies\/\">instructional scaffolding<\/a> we usually think of those ugly structures that builders put up around buildings during construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The point of scaffolds is to help build the building. They\u2019re there when the building is being built to help hold it up and make it easy for builders to construct it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, when the building can stand on its own and is ready for the world \u2026 builders take the scaffolding away!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In just the same way, <em>instructional scaffolds<\/em> can be used for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Scaffolding for learning is all about helping children learn concepts that are just too hard to do on their own.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>In other words, scaffolding is what we do to help children move through their ZPD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some ways we can scaffold learning include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Modelling tasks in front of students <\/strong>&#8211; demonstrate how to complete the task before asking students to give it a go themselves to give them a chance to see how it&#8217;s done.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/higher-order-thinking-questions\/\">Higher-order questioning<\/a> <\/strong>&#8211; requires students to respond in full sentences, think deeply about their answers, and justify their response.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Breaking tasks down into manageable steps &#8211; helps decrease overwhelm and see a path to success. After they complete each step, ask the students to do the full task without assistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Providing visual aids <\/strong>&#8211; visual aids can act as cues to help students work through a task. Consider placing visual aids strategically around the classroom for students to draw on when necessary.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Directing attention <\/strong>&#8211; point students&#8217; attention to important elements of the task to keep students on track.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Can you think of any more ways you scaffold learning? Provide your ideas in the comments section at the end of this article!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Bruner-Scaffolding-Education-Theory-1-e1558878457206.jpg\" alt=\"infographic listing the definition of scaffolding and five examples of scaffolding that are described in the paragraphs preceding this image\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 9. Bronfenbrenner\u2019s Ecological Systems Theory<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Bronfenbrenner\u2019s Ecological Systems Theory<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One theoretical idea that very closely aligns with the social constructivist approach is Bronfenbrenner\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/ecological-systems-theory-pros-cons\/\">Ecological Systems Theory<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Bronfenbrenner, learning is influenced in four different socio-historical spheres: the micro, meso, macro and chronosystems. Let\u2019s take a look at each:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Microsystem:<\/strong> The microsystem is the student\u2019s immediate environment composed of their parents, siblings and other people they have direct contact with on a daily basis. These people are some of the strongest social influences on a student\u2019s learning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mesosystem:<\/strong> The next step out is the mesosystem, which represents the relationships between the microsystems. The ways parents interact with one another, and the relationships between parents and schools, have an effect on the student who is observing and learning from the behaviors around them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exosystem:<\/strong> The exosystem is the local environment that a student may not have direct daily contact with, but still influences them at a personal level. It might be Mum and Dad\u2019s workplace which are putting stress on them, which they bring into the home after work. It might be local political decisions or the local church.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Macrosystem:<\/strong> The macrosystem represents broader society and culture. The forms of government, cultural values and national pass times all have an impact on a child as they grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chronosystem:<\/strong> The chronosystem is the historical time and place in which a student learns. Our learning today \u2013 with <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/communication-technology-examples\/\">communication technologies<\/a> and internet connections \u2013 does a great deal to influence how we learn. 200 years ago, learning would have been far different!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>I could delve very deep into this theory, but that\u2019s for a whole different article! If you want to learn more about Bronfenbrenner, try out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalhelp.net\/articles\/urie-bronfenbrenner-and-child-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this post<\/a> from the Mental Help website.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 10. Bandura\u2019s Social Learning Theory<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">10. Bandura\u2019s Social Learning Theory<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bandura&#039;s Bobo Doll Experiment\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/dmBqwWlJg8U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another theorist who is very closely connected to the sociocultural approach to teaching and learning is Albert Bandura.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bandura believes that learning essentially happens through observation. By observing others, we can learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bandura uses Vygotsky\u2019s ideas of the importance of private speech for learning, but calls it \u2018self-talk\u2019. He sees learning happening through three processes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Observation (\u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/vicarious-learning-examples-pros-cons\/\">vicarious learning<\/a>\u2019):<\/strong> we learn through watching others and imitating their practices. The observation of a reward or punishment and learning from it <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/vicarious-reinforcement\/\">is called vicarious reinforcement<\/a>. When it involves learning about others by watching them be punished, we can call it <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/vicarious-punishment\/\">vicarious punishment<\/a>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Language (\u2018symbolic processes\u2019):<\/strong> we learn through communicating with others; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Self-talk (\u2018self-regulation\u2019):<\/strong> we learn through internal dialogue and reflection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Bandura\u2019s work is perhaps best represented through the bobo doll experiment, which is shown in the video above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to this experiment, children saw adults\u2019 physically aggressive actions towards dolls, and then later tended to repeat those aggressive actions against the doll. Here, we can see children learn and imitate the actions of people around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Read More: <\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/social-learning-theory-examples\/\"><em>15 Social Learning Theory Examples<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 11. Cognitive Apprenticeships<\/summary>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"11\">\n<li>Cognitive Apprenticeships<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>The two terms \u2018cognitive apprenticeships\u2019 and \u2018situated learning\u2019 are basically the same terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lave and Wenger are two of the most influential theorists for this discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To give you a fly-by of these ideas: they mean that learning appears to happen really quite well when people are paired up with \u2018experts\u2019 in a craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most obvious version of this is trade apprenticeships. A young person \u2013 maybe 18 years old \u2013 might start a plumbing apprenticeship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do you think they\u2019ll learn?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, they\u2019ll follow an experienced plumber around and learn from him as he does his craft. A pipe breaks: and the apprentice watches and learns as he watches the expert fix it. Two pipes of different sizes need to be connected: the apprentice observes again to learn how to manage this situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When multiple people come together to work on a craft, they\u2019re called a \u2018community of practice\u2019. When a young person joins that community of practice and learns-by-doing, what happens? They learn from the experts!<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 12. Guided Participation<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-transform:none\">12. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Guided Participation<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Look, I\u2019m a huge fan of Barbara Rogoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like, really \u2026 she based her PhD on learning within Guatemalan Mayan cultures. She is THAT cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Okay \u2026 back to business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rogoff uses the sociocultural idea of cognitive apprenticeships (see above) and applies it across cultures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She sees cognitive apprenticeships as a form of learning that seems very natural in non-Western cultures. This goes for the Mayan culture she studied in Guatemala, but also many Australian Indigenous cultures, too. I\u2019m sure it\u2019s common in many Indigenous cultures around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By contrast, we in the West seem to separate the adults <em>doing <\/em>things with the children <em>learning <\/em>things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I mean, think about it: we literally send the adults off to work and the children off to school. We place them in classrooms with four walls and teach them through <em><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/direct-instruction-examples\/\">direct instruction<\/a><\/em> rather than <em>guided participation<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Why shouldn\u2019t children learn by participating in life? Why shouldn\u2019t they go to work with the adults and learn how to do the tasks the adults do?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, I probably just opened a huge series of new thoughts in your mind about the pros and cons of each approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But hey, I want you to think and learn and come to your own conclusion and \u2026 most importantly \u2026 find this stuff interesting enough that you think about it in your car on the way to work tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So you can decide on the merits of the Mayan approach vs. the Western approach tomorrow in your car!<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:2px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><summary>\u27a1\ufe0f 13. Distributed Cognition<\/summary>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">13. <span style=\"font-size: 24pt;\">Distributed Cognition<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Distributed cognition is a concept from sociocultural theory that explains how, if learning is social, then we can <em>share<\/em> our thinking!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Distributed cognition is defined by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/222228588_Error_and_distributed_cognition_in_design\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Busby (2001, p. 238)<\/a> as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cSolving problems by collaboration, where none of the collaborators individually can have a full appreciation of the problem\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Think about it this way: a task is too hard for one person to do. There are just too many moving parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, what if you got four people together and shared the task? Could you complete the task now? Maybe different people in the team have different packets of knowledge, and together the task can be achieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Distributed cognition also works with computers. You might use a calculator or excel worksheet to help you to complete a task.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that you can offload all of the big data analytical tasks to the computer and focus on the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/higher-order-thinking-skills-examples\/\" title=\"higher-order thinking\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">higher-order thinking<\/a> tasks like problem solving and making strategic decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, then, social learning is becoming not just about people interacting with other people. Now, computers can have a social impact on our learning, too!<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References and Further Reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Bates, B. (2019). <em>Learning theories simplified<\/em>. London: SAGE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Duchesne, S., McMaugh, A., Bochner, S., &amp; Krause, K. L. (2013).&nbsp;<em>Educational psychology: for learning and teaching<\/em>&nbsp;(4th ed.). South Melbourne, VIC: Cengage Learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gray, C., &amp; MacBlain, S. (2015).&nbsp;<em>Learning theories in childhood<\/em>. London: Sage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leonard, D. (2002). <em>Learning Theories, A to Z<\/em>. Connecticut: Greenwood Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nagel, M. (2012). Student learning. In R. Churchill, P. Ferguson, S. Godinho, N. Johnson, &amp; A. Keddie. (Eds.).<em>&nbsp;Teaching making a difference&nbsp;<\/em>(Vol. 2, pp. 74-88). Milton, QLD: Wiley Publishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neaum, S. (2010).&nbsp;<em>Child development for early childhood studies<\/em>. London: SAGE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pritchard, A. (2008).&nbsp;<em>Ways of learning: learning theories and learning styles in the classroom<\/em>. London: Routledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schunk, D. H. (2012).&nbsp;<em>Learning theories an educational perspective sixth edition<\/em>. London: Pearson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vygotsky, L. S. (1986). <em>Thought and language<\/em> (A. Kozulin, trans.). Cambridge MA: MIT Press.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These 29+ crib notes are perfect for your essay on the sociocultural theory of education. 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