This document provides an overview of the cognitive development theories of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. Piaget was a Swiss psychologist who developed the theory of cognitive development occurring in stages that are age-appropriate. Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist who emphasized the social impacts on cognitive development and introduced concepts like the zone of proximal development. The thesis argues that Vygotsky's theory provides a more versatile foundation for schools today due to concepts like the zone of proximal development and its emphasis on societal influences on growth.

1. Crafting a Framework for Thought: Jean Piaget and levvygotsky on developmental education

2. Tyler ColeElizabeth ClarkENG 1020Metropolitan State CollegeFall 200910 November 2009

3. Jean Piaget (1896-1980) Swiss Psychologist of Cognitive Development Published first paper at age 10 PhD in Natural Science Developed theory of Cognitive Development Age Appropriate Learning in Stages

4. Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) Russian Psychologist of Cognitive Development Conducted Research during Soviet Era Wrote six major volumes in 10 years Developed Theory of Cognitive Development Emphasized Societal Impacts on Development

5. Where They Differ:

6. So who’s right?

7. THESIS “I have drawn a quite clear general skeleton, but one still full of gaps…in filling them in one will be led to differentiate its connections…without at the same time altering the main lines of the system” (Piaget qtd. in Bringuier 144). Lev Vygotsky’s theory of developmental education provides a more versatile foundation to be used in schools today due to its innovative concepts of the zone of proximal development, Vygotskian play throughout development, and societal impacts on growth.

8. Looking at the Zone of Proximal Development Basic Concept: Guided Instruction Independent Performance vs Assisted Performance Assigned Roles Brings Order Teacher as the diagnostician Scaffolding through guidance

9. Doesn’t the ZPD take away from Children’s Discoveries? The Zone of Proximal Development: Fosters Critical Thinking Is more Pragmatic Is a good gauge of development Teaches reciprocal teaching Actively Builds on Knowledge

10. Works Cited Bringuier, Jean-Claude. Conversations with Jean Piaget. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1980. 15-143. Print. Daniels, Harry. Vygotsky and Pedagogy. New York: Routledge, 2001. 5-68. Print. Newman, Fred, and Lois Holzman. Lev Vygotsky: Revolutionary Scientist. New York: Routledge, 1993. 32-86. Print. "Overview ." ED.gov U.S. Department of Education, 1 July 2009. Web. 4 Nov. 2009 <http://www.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml>.

11. Continued Papert, Seymour . "Jean Piaget." The Time 100Conversations with Jean Piaget. Time, 2009. Web. 4 Nov. 2009 <http://www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/piaget.html>. Typhon, Anastasia, and Jacques Voneche. Piaget - Vygotsky: The Social Genesis of Thought. London: Psychology Press, 1996. 174-86. Print. Waite-Stupiansky, Sandra. Building Understanding Together. Boston: Delmar Publishers, 1997. 24-26. Print.