MODULE 3: COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Backward Brain Bicycle

Watch this video from Smarter Every Day and respond to the prompts below.

Do you know how to ride a bicycle? If so, Yes I did! I learned when I was very young, probably around 4 or 5.
when did you learn how to do so? If not,
why not?

Pause at 0:55 What is your first reaction to I was at a 9 of confidence to be able to ride it.
this challenge? On a scale of 1 - 10, how
confident would you rate your ability to
ride the opposite bike? Why?

For future understanding, please note that Justin uses the term “algorithm” around the 1:35 mark. You will be learning a
new term during this module which means something very similar, “schema”.

Justin uses the term “neuroplasticity”
around 4:38. Although this term is likely to
be familiar to you from the last module,
please look up the definition and supply it
in the box.
Neuroplasticity, also known as neural plasticity, or brain plasticity,
is the ability of neural networks in the brain to change through
growth and reorganization. These changes range from individual
neuron pathways making new connections, to systematic
adjustments like cortical remapping.

According to Justin, “truth is truth”. Do I mean, yes truth is truth, but the way he uses that phrase, I’m not sure if i
you agree, disagree? agree.

What question(s) would you like to ask If he really thinks that there is no way someone could do both even if they
Justin about this experiment and/or what were trained to learn both together.
he learned from it?

Constructivism
From an educational, classroom learning, point of view, what is the theory of “constructivism” suggesting?

Students should be encouraged and guided to a point where they can use the information they gather to help themselves.
Monitoring would also be a good idea according to this theory. Adding interactive ways to learn that help them is a form of
constructivism.

If you are still a little unclear, watch this brief video “Using a Theory: Constructivism”.

Analysis
According to the text, what are some contemporary criticisms of Piaget’s view?

Some worry that recent information processing is weak because the only goal is to create accurate internal representations
of the outside world, not to construct a unique and individual understanding.

When you examined both of these theories, which aspects of each theory resonated with you?

I prefer cognitive constructivism because I feel like that is how my brain works.
If you had to select one theorist over the other to apply to the classroom, then which one would you select and why?

I personally like Piaget because I think people know so little about cognitive constructionism and I think that my students
would benefit by learning more about how they think and how they can learn in any circumstance.

Video Illustrations

In this video, one student is in the Preoperational Stage of development while another is in the Concrete Operational stage. The
first student is still learning about the concept of “Conversation”.

First, list the characteristics of Speech, hearing, understanding, Communication,

“Conservation”?

Start the video and then stop at 23 seconds. She will say the tall glass has more
What do you predict the girl will say to the
examiner’s question?

Stop the video at 1:30. What does the older The concept of illusions and that just because something changes form
student understand about the world that the doesn’t mean it entirely.
younger student does not yet know?

Continue the video. Stop at 2:11 and predict She will say the ones with quarters that are closer together have more
how the girl will respond.

Stop one last time at 3:00. If you wanted to She will say that it is not fair until everyone has two crackers.
take advantage of this child’s lack of
understanding when it comes to conservation,
what might you do to solve this dilemma?

In this video, you once again have two students. However, in this case, one student is in the concrete operational stage while
the other is in the formal operational stage.

Stop the video at 33 seconds and predict what The boy will say it doesnt break
the boy will say.

How would you explain the differences The boy is only using the information in his brain while the girl uses both
between the first boy’s response from the what is in her brain and what is around her.
young ladies?

Application

Based on Piaget’s stage theory, list and describe the cognitive characteristics of the students you intend on working with.

What age students do you want to work with: Adolescence through adulthood.
 What Piagetian stage do they fall within: Formal operational

What are the characteristics of students in this They are more mature, developed and all around just older.
stage:

Another Video Illustration

Watch the following scene from the movie “Monsters, Inc.” and identify examples of the following Piagetian concepts.

Assimilation:

Accommodation:

Disequilibrium:

Schema:

Class Notes

According to Dr. Trotter, there are four ideas to grasp when understanding cognition.

Learning is:

Knowledge is:

“Knowledge” is:

Cognitive development is:

Using Kohlberg’s Theory of Morality to Think about Cognition

What is your “moral code”? How do you, as an adult, determine what is right and/or wrong? Do you have any absolutes or are
you more relativistic?

You will watch a short clip from the Les Miserable movie released in 1998 starring Liam Neeson. Neeson plays an ex-con just
released from prison and trying to make his way to a large city for employment. On his way there, he is extended a nights
lodging and dinner by the local bishop. This clip picks up after everyone as gone to bed.

Before watching the clip, I’d like you to answer

a “simple” question. Is it okay to lie? Is it
never okay to lie or are their conditions when
it is fine? Explain.

While you watch this clip, pay attention to the

variety of emotions you may feel?

What is your reaction to the bishop’s decision

to lie to the police about Jean Val Jean’s act of
theft?

Explain why would you support or condemn

the bishop’s actions?
 If you supported the bishop’s actions, then
would you say it is usually best to lie to the
police if it means protecting someone whom
you don’t want to go to jail? Explain.

If you didn’t support the bishop’s actions, then

would you say there is no circumstance under
which someone should lie to the police to
protect someone? Explain.

Lawrence Kohlberg was a psychologist most well-known for his theory of stages of moral development. He was greatly
influenced by Piaget’s model of cognitive development as well as his approach to research. Although there are problems with
Kohlberg’s research methods and his theory has not held up well over time, I’d like to use him to simply illustrate how our
ability to think about morality changes as our cognitive abilities develop.

Complete the following table as you watch this last video.

What are the characteristics of
Stage 1:

Pre-Conventional Reasoning What are the characteristics of

Level Stage 2:

What age group is typically

represented by this level:

What are the characteristics of

Stage 3:

What are the characteristics of

Conventional Reasoning Level
Stage 4:

What age group is typically

represented by this level:

What are the characteristics of

Stage 5:

What are the characteristics of

Post - Conventional Level
Stage 6:

What age group is typically

represented by this level:

How do you respond to the

Heinz dilemma?

What problems could exist with

Kohlberg’s research method?

What challenges are raised by

using this type of story (e.g., the
Heinz dilemma) to draw
conclusions on one’s morality?