Week 3-2 Reflection

1.) Micro-Session Summary
In order for an individual to learn they must have a More Knowledgeable Other to help them through the learning process when this occurs their Zone of Proximal Development increases leading to a successful student.

         

2.) What Is Learning From Vygotsky's Social Constructivism Perspective?
Vygotsky believed that all students will learn more productively when they are in group activities and are able to communicate with one another. For instance, if a student needs help the teacher (or anyone who is more knowledgeable) the MKO (more knowledgeable other) will come over and give their assistance (scaffolding) when they do an example together the teacher will let the student do the next example on their own which is widening their ZPD (zone of proximal development). The teacher will take it one step further  and take away the scaffolding (since the child understands the material) and will have that student teach another student widening everyone's ZPD. In turn, when the child is allowed to communicate their questions or concerns this provides for more effective learning.
 

3.) What Are The Big Things That You Learned About Vygotsky's Social Constructivism?
One thing that I learned in this section is that scaffolding is not simply assisting the student when they need help. Scaffolding involves intentionality, appropriateness, structure, collaboration, and internalization. Each steps involves the instructor being clear, poses a question that can be solved, a structure for the task at hand that the student will be able to follow, the instructor must respond to the students thoughts, and finally the student will internalize the material. I realized that scaffolding is not simply helping a student but developing a sequence so that the student will learn the material.

                                                               

4.) Do You Think Vygotsky's Social Constructivism Demonstrates Your Own Beliefs In How Human Learning Occurs Well? If So/Not, Why?
I think that this does demonstrate my own beliefs because I have always been a firm believer in children learning better when they are able to communicate with each other in groups. For one, a child might be self conscious and may not want to ask a question in front of the entire class however when they are placed in a group they will feel more comfortable with their peers and will feel more of a need to ask questions, participate more, and will be able to give advice to others that may need help. For instance, in the video that was assigned this week, "Peer Tutoring in Math," the students helped one another out creating for a deeper understanding in the material.

                                                                            

5.) Do You Have Any Questions Or Concerns About Course Learning?
I do not have any questions or concerns at this time!

6.)

	Modules	Topics  & Activity	Check ✓ if Completed
Week 3	Week 3-1 *Due by July 31 at 10:59 am	1) Week 3-1 Reading Quiz	✔
		2) Week 3-1 Discussion Forum: one initial response & two peer feedback replies	✔
		3) Week 3-1 Personal Blog Reflection	✔
	Week 3-2 *Due by July 31 at 10:59 am	1) Week 3-2 Reading Quiz	✔
		2) Week 3-2 Discussion Forum: One initial response & two peer feedback replies	✔
		3) Week 3-2 Personal Blog Reflection	✔

7.) Erin Rodriguez's Blog Response:

Erin,
I enjoyed all the animations that you included in your blog to illustrate what you were trying to say. I agree with you that not all people will thrive in a group setting because some people just work better alone. I for one, am one of those people who prefer to work alone. Although every once in awhile I do enjoy a group experiment because it allows one to bounce ideas off each other and wherever an individual is weak in then hopefully the other will be strong in and vice versa. 
-Melissa

Catherine Crouch's Blog Response:

Catherine,
I enjoyed reading your blog and I do agree with you on how nice it is to see how much more children learn when they are in group activities. I have always had a theory that this was true (before this class) and it was nice to see how there is actually a theory that states exactly what I thought. I also like how it emphasizes the role of language and culture since these are things that play a huge role in learning.
-Melissa