| What are the differences between Piaget and Vygotsky's view on the role of culture in development? | Piaget's view - believed that children in different cultures develop in basically the same way. In that respect, he considers his stages of development to be universal and context- and culture-free.
Vygotsky's view - believed that culture provides the context in which development occurs; we develop by internalising the cognitive tools embedded within specific cultures. Researchers support this view (Cole & Packer, 2011; Morra, Gobbo, Marini, & Sheese, 2008; Rogoff, 2003). |
| Illustrate some ways of culture providing the context for development? | 1. Certain concepts are unique to certain cultures. Therefore, only individuals of that culture will know that concept as a cognitive tool for both thinking and communication. For example, the term 'bushido' or 'ikigai' for the Japanese people. Some words don't translate their full meaning in different languages
2. Work culture also varies from culture to culture. Some cultures are more time-specific while others are more lax to timings and deadlines. Some cultures gravitate naturally towards cooperation while some cultures lean on competitive tendencies.
3. Different cultures also have different values, ideas and religion that will influence how children develop as they are fully immersed in it. |
| How do cultural and diversity factors impact teaching? | 1. Diversity of our students continue to increase, naturally bringing many different cultures with them to our classrooms.
2. However, some may not bring with them the cognitive tools needed to thrive in our culture, which means that we must provide those tools.
3. We need to provide the concrete experiences needed for non-native English speakers to function effectively in classrooms.
4. The more our students practice using language to describe their surroundings, the more fully their development will be. |
