Theorists
Vygotsky is a social learning theorist who believes the role of the teacher is significant to the learning done in the classroom. He believes that a socially interactive classroom environment is important because the developmental stage that adolescents are in depend on social interaction. Maslow is another learning theorist, he believes in the hierarchy of needs. In order for students to be mentally available to learn they must first fulfill the lower levels of the pyramid. 
As a future teacher I agree with Maslow and his hierarchy of needs. I think it is important that students are mentally and physically ready to learn and they will not be able to do this if they have not fulfilled the lower levels of the pyramid. It is important for students to have the right nutrition while learning, stay away from simple sugars. Simple sugars are good for a few moments but then cause fatigue. Students have to feel safe in the environment that they are learning in, and feel comfortable enough to share their own opinion. Along with feeling safe they have to feel as if they belong and are an important part of the classroom. Then the student self esteem will continue to grow and they will be active participants in the classroom and eventually reach self-actualization.
As a future teacher I agree with Maslow and his hierarchy of needs. I think it is important that students are mentally and physically ready to learn and they will not be able to do this if they have not fulfilled the lower levels of the pyramid. It is important for students to have the right nutrition while learning, stay away from simple sugars. Simple sugars are good for a few moments but then cause fatigue. Students have to feel safe in the environment that they are learning in, and feel comfortable enough to share their own opinion. Along with feeling safe they have to feel as if they belong and are an important part of the classroom. Then the student self esteem will continue to grow and they will be active participants in the classroom and eventually reach self-actualization.
Interesting. Katie, Vygotsky was male and his primary theory was about the zone of proximal development. Do you think there is merit in the ZPD?
ReplyDeleteI think the part about making students feel safe and a sense of belonging is important for us to always be thinking about. We wouldn't want to go to school and sit in a classroom for 7 hours a day if we didn't feel safe or respected, so why would our students? I think Maslow was onto something when he used this hierarchy to work towards self-actualization.
ReplyDelete