Module 3: REVIEW OF THEORIES RELATED TO THE LEARNER'S DEVELOPMENT

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to attain the following:

a. identify the theories related to the learners' development;

b. discuss the principles of the major development theories

Introduction to the Module

Here at Module 3, we will have a review of educational theories related to the learner's development.
Even though this has been discussed on some Professional Education subjects, we still need to discuss it
since it is related to the concept of learner-centered teaching.

ENGAGE:

Let us try to test your knowledge on some theorists in the field of Education. Below are the names of the
famous theorists and write everything that you can remember about them. The terms and words that
you will jot down must be connected to their learning theories.

Sigmund Freud
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Erik Erikson

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Jean Piaget

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Lawrence Kohlberg

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Lev Vygotsky

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EXPLAIN:

Theorists such as Freud, Erikson, Piaget, Vygotsky, and Bronfenbrenner's views continue to be
important in the teacher's knowledge of students' development. Recall key points from their
theories. "The mind is like an iceberg," Freud said, "it floats with one-seventh of its volume
above water." This is, of course, the well-known example Freud used to describe the
subconscious mind (Lucas and Corpuz,2020).

He felt that most of what a person is really about is concealed in the subconscious mind, not
what we see on the surface of what is aware. As educators, it is critical to remember not to jump
to judgments about our students' motivations for their behaviors Fisher, S., & Greenberg, R. P.
(1996).

(Figure no. 3 – Related Theories to Learner's Development)

 (Figure no. 4 – Freud's Psycho-sexual Development Theory – Source – Simple Psychology)

Freud believes that a person develops through five psychosexual phases. This stage encompasses the
oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital. Each step necessitates the fulfillment of requirements; the
inability to do so leads to fixations (Cherry, 2021).

(Figure no. 5 – Erikson's Psychosocial Theory)

Erikson said, "If their elders have enough integrity not to dread death, healthy children will not fear life."
He believed in the importance of important persons in shaping one's perspective on oneself, life, and
the world. He proposed an extensive paradigm including eight psychosocial phases of development.
Erikson defined the crisis (represented in opposing polarities) that a person experiences; the
maladaptation and malignancy that arise from the inability to resolve the crisis successfully; and the
virtue that develops when the crisis is balanced and resolved Lucas and Corpuz (2020).

(Figure no. 6 – Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development – Source – The Psychology Notes Headquarters)

Piaget said, "The primary purpose of education in schools should be to develop men and women
capable of doing new things, not merely duplicating what previous generations accomplished." Piaget's
theory of cognitive development was based on phases of cognitive development. He classified cognitive
growth into four stages: sensory-motor, pre-operational, concrete-operational, and formal operational.
Each has distinct modes of thought and perception that demonstrate how one's cognitive talents evolve
Lucas and Corpuz (2020).
 (Figure no. 7 – Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development – Source – Integrated Psychology)

Kohlberg said, "Right behavior is often defined in terms of broad individual rights and standards that
have been rigorously examined and agreed upon by the whole society." Kohlberg postulated three
separate stages of moral development (pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional).
Kohlberg believed, influenced by Piaget, that one's cognitive development impacted one's moral
reasoning development Lucas and Corpuz (2020).

(Figure no. 8 – Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory)

Vygotsky said, "The teacher's effort must be oriented on the child's future growth, not yesterday's."
Vygotsky placed a premium on the importance of social contact in the process of learning and growth.
Scaffolding is a methodical method of assisting a student in acquiring a skill efficiently. He felt that
receiving advice from a more knowledgeable person (MKO) would result in a student performing at a
greater level than alone. This greater level of performance subsequently becomes the learner's real
performance in the future when he works independently. This is shown by his idea of the zone of
proximal development (ZPD) Ormrod, Jeanne E. (2004).

(Figure no. 9 – Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory)

Bronfenbrenner's model referred to as Bioecological Systems Child development, is seen through the
relational systems that compose the child's environment. Microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem,
macrosystem, and chronosystem comprise the model. Each layer is further subdivided into distinct
structures. The word "bioecological" refers to a child's biological makeup affecting his or her
development. The growing and developing body of the kid and the interaction between his or her
immediate family/community environment and the social landscape drive and direct his or her growth.
Changes or disagreements in one layer will affect the other levels. To examine a kid's development, we
must include the child and his or her immediate surroundings and the greater context in which the child
interacts.
ELABORATE

From the theories on the discussion, look for a pair and ask him/her about their learning experience
from their parents and teachers during pre-school up to the present time. Share your experiences too as
he/she will use it as their example. Follow the table presented below:

Theorists/Theory Pair's Experience

Freud's Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development

Erikson's Psychological Stages of Development

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

Vygotsky's Socio-Cultural Theory

Piaget's Cognitive Stages of Development

Brofenbrenner's Bio-Ecological Theory

EVALUATE:

The theories presented in the discussion have a lot of concepts, and choose at least one concept from
each theory and think of a suitable activity that can be applied in the classroom. (5pts. Each)

A Concept from the following Theories Suitable Activity/Strategy in the Classroom

Freud's Psycho-Sexual Stages of Development

Erikson's Psychological Stages of Development

Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development

Vygotsky's Socio-Cultural Theory

Piaget's Cognitive Stages of Development

Brofenbrenner's Bio-Ecological Theory

Further Readings:

Piaget's Theory has also been used in developmental psychology. A study was conducted to assess the
effectiveness of Piaget and Vygotsky's theory in the classroom. You can check the journal on this link:
https://www.people.wm.edu/~mxtsch/Teaching/JCPE/Volume1/JCPE_2008-01-09.pdf

References:

Pope T. and Blake B. (2008). Developmental Psychology: Incorporating Piaget's and Vygotsky's Theories
in Classrooms. Journal of Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives in Education, 1(1). 59-67

Ormrod, Jeanne E. (2004). Educational psychology: Developing learners 4 th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall
Inc.

Lucas and Corpuz (2020). Facilitating Learner-Centered Teaching 5 th Ed. Lorimar Publishing, Inc. Quezon
City.

Fisher, S., & Greenberg, R. P. (1996). Freud scientifically reappraised: Testing the theories and therapy.
Oxford, England: John Wiley & Sons.
Huitt, W. (1997). Metacognition Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta: Valdosta State University.