By: Jerome Bo Fitts

Hello Everyone,

We need to recognise the sensitive nature of educational principles. Unfortunately, many people shape their perceptions based on their educational backgrounds rather than their geographical locations.

To ensure consistency while refining our research theories, it’s important to begin with some foundational principles grounded in psychological theories of education.

Jean Piaget, a renowned theorist, believed that exploration and discovery are essential processes through which children learn, often characterised by trial and error (Howley-Rouse, 2021).

Piaget’s educational principles are rooted in the evaluation of children’s knowledge, which considers their biological inheritance and environmental settings. Additionally, it evaluates the individual’s capacity for learning.

This perspective is outlined in Piaget’s Theory of Education, which challenged the prevailing psychometric and behaviourist approaches to intelligence. These traditional approaches measured intelligence (IQ) as a fixed and inherited trait, while behaviourism attributed cognitive change to external conditioning (Howley-Rouse, 2021).

Piaget also emphasised the importance of pre-evaluation by teachers before instructing a learning process. This assessment is crucial for determining the appropriate learning tools or examination levels needed to achieve qualitative results. He believed that students should be placed in situations where they must think critically to find step-by-step solutions, thereby engaging their cognitive abilities.

Lev Vygotsky, the Russian psychologist, emphasised the significance of culture and interaction in the development of cognitive abilities. His work is categorised as a sociocultural theory (MSEd, 2023). Vygotsky also advocated for structural learning, which involves engaging in meaningful and challenging activities.

While Vygotsky’s cognitive methods share similarities with those of Jean Piaget, he believed that an individual’s abilities are not fixed. Vygotsky stressed the importance of proper guidance and teaching sessions to facilitate higher-level understanding and assessment (Hoose, 2020).

After extensive research on noted psychologists, I find that I agree with both Piaget and Vygotsky in their theories of learning.

I support Piaget’s view that there is a genetic component to learning. This trait becomes evident when an individual is placed in the right environment. Some people have an innate ability to learn, while others may struggle. This disparity often depends on genetic factors and personal circumstances.

I also align with Vygotsky’s theory, which suggests that with the right opportunities, individuals who may not possess the same biological predispositions can still learn effectively. Proper teaching is crucial in this regard. I believe that, given the chance, nearly anyone can achieve similar educational outcomes, but this heavily relies on the quality of the teaching methods and curriculum. It’s important to evaluate how effectively a teacher or lecturer presents the material.

Certain cultures or countries (which I won’t specify due to sensitivity) have educational institutions that aim to make learning accessible to everyone. However, the structure of these systems often falters, affecting their effectiveness.

Additionally, individual factors such as time management and personal competence play a significant role in the learning process. It’s important to acknowledge that not everyone may be capable of higher learning. While this observation may seem problematic, not everyone can indeed be taught at the same level.

This notion might be seen as a separatist statement, but genetic factors often outweigh notions of equality in education. Pre-test evaluations, much like job applications, exist for a reason and help to identify individuals’ varying learning capabilities.

An example that could serve as a justification for this article is the following: Have you, the reader, ever experienced a call centre in America and found yourself wondering, “How did that person get this job?” when you feel that you could perform better?

In some cultures, there is a simplified approach based on the equality theory. This particularly applies to individuals from underprivileged backgrounds who may have lower IQs but are still placed in positions of power.

What about the choice to listen and learn, as well as the time management skills for those who may struggle with these aspects?

Thanks for reading.

JFitts

References:

Howley-Rouse, A. (2021, April 13). Piaget’s theory of education. THE EDUCATION HUB. https://theeducationhub.org.nz/piagets-theory-of-education/

MSEd, K. C. (2023, February 22). Lev Vygotsky’s Life and Theories. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/lev-vygotsky-biography-2795533

Hoose, N. A. (2020, June 1). Social Constructivism: Vygotsky’s Theory. Pressbooks.https://edpsych.pressbooks.sunycreate.cloud/chapter/social-constructivism-vygotskys-theory/