A Vygotskian Model for Developing Concepts

The study applied the principles of L. S. Vygotsky's cultural-historical theory to create and test an approach to concept learning different from currently-developed approaches. According to Vygotsky, formal instruction leads the development of students' higher mental functions. His perspective is unique because it relates concept learning to development of these higher mental functions. Twenty-four students (19 females and 5 males) in a graduate-level educational psychology class were randomly assigned to two treatment conditions: (1) Vygotskian-derived instruction and (2) traditional instruction. Standardized test scores were used to block subjects according to verbal ability (high and low). All subjects received 3.5 hours of instruction on Bernard Weiner's attribution theory as a system of concepts. Concept learning was assessed prior to and following the instructional intervention. The three dependent measures included: (1) a multiple-choice test, (2) a scenario analysis, and (3) a short-answer questionnaire. The multiple-choice measure was included because conceptual knowledge is frequently assessed in this way.

Autorentext

Dr. Shields is an Associate Professor in the Richard W. Riley College of Education at Winthrop University. She teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels in educational psychology, human growth and development, and research. Her research interests include learning theories and their educational applications.

Klappentext

The study applied the principles of L. S. Vygotsky's cultural-historical theory to create and test an approach to concept learning different from currently-developed approaches. According to Vygotsky, formal instruction leads the development of students' higher mental functions. His perspective is unique because it relates concept learning to development of these higher mental functions. Twenty-four students (19 females and 5 males) in a graduate-level educational psychology class were randomly assigned to two treatment conditions: (1) Vygotskian-derived instruction and (2) traditional instruction. Standardized test scores were used to block subjects according to verbal ability (high and low). All subjects received 3.5 hours of instruction on Bernard Weiner's attribution theory as a system of concepts. Concept learning was assessed prior to and following the instructional intervention. The three dependent measures included: (1) a multiple-choice test, (2) a scenario analysis, and (3) a short-answer questionnaire. The multiple-choice measure was included because conceptual knowledge is frequently assessed in this way.