https://twitter.com/vygotskylev

I agree most with Lev Vygotsky’s learning theory. Vygotsky has discovered a learning theory that is very beneficial for students in many ways. Vygotsky stresses that children learn from social interaction and experiences. In my opinion, children actually do learn through experiences rather than the stages depending on their age in Piaget’s Stages of Development. For example, when I’m in a class that has long boring lectures, I don’t pick up the information at all but when I’m in a social setting it helps me focus on what is being taught and I actually learn the material.

Vygotsky believes that learning things from a more knowledgeable person is very helpful in the learning process. Working with the assistance of a more skillful person will indicate the student’s actual mental development than what they can do individually. Having a more knowledgeable person help will give the student the experience and will give them the knowledge for the future.

An important aspect of Vygotsky’s theory is the Zone of Proximal Development. The Zone of Proximal Development is the distance between the student’s individual problem solving skills (actual development level) and problem solving with the assistance of a more knowledgably person (potential development level). It is important that the material isn’t too hard for the student which can lead to them giving up before even trying. Also, it shouldn’t be too easy which will cause students to become bored. But having a little difficulty will motivate the children and keep them thinking.