My Bioecological Model!

Sept 29th 2010

According to the textbook, the bioecological theory developed by Urie Bronfenbrenner focuses on the social contexts in which students live, the people who influence their development, and the interaction between students’ characteristics and their environment. There are five systems within the bioecological theory: the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and the chronosystem.

Microsystem: includes families, peers, schools, neighbourhoods, etc. The student has direct interaction with things and people in this system.

Mesosystem: this system links the microsystems, so events that occur within one microsystem will affect other microsystems as well. Ex. If someone has a bad day at work, it will affect their home life.

Exosystem: Things and places that influence the student but the student does not directly influence it.

Macrosystem: The broader culture in which we live, including ideologies and attitudes of the culture.

Chronosystem: Refers to socio-historical conditions and time since life events.

We were asked to draw out a rudimentary sketch of our own personal system and hand it in for the instructor’s curiosity, so I decided to put one on here as well! Enjoy!

Piaget vs. Vygotsky

Sept 27th 2010

Today in EdPsych we were asked a question:

Of Piaget or Vygotsky, which theory resonates more with your personal inclinations? Why?

Well, I already ranted about Piaget and the issues I have with his theory, so, by deduction, I agree more with Vygotsky’s theory. Piaget says that language and social relations aren’t important in the development of cognitive skills. Piaget also believes that education just refines the cognitive skills that have already emerged. By comparison, Vygotsky suggests that language is a main tool of shaping thought. Also, Vygotsky believes that education plays a central role, that it helps children learn the tools of the culture. I would tend to agree with Vygotsky, I don’t think a child would develop properly without the influence of language and education. A child is not going to learn anything without being told what to do(language) or being shown what to do(education).