Sociocultural Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sociocultural Theory - Essay Example 101). The debate about the definition of term 'collaborative' as well as ongoing attempts to identify relevant criteria to determine whether learning is collaborative or not does not seem to have any major implications for the basics of collaborative learning. Almost every research study exploring collaborative learning environment comes to positive conclusions (Johnson, Johnson, and Stanne, 1986; Natasi and Clements, 1991). Natasi and Clements (1991) summarize these conclusions in the following way: "Cognitive-academic and social-emotional benefits have been reported for students from early elementary through college level, from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and having a wide range of ability levels Furthermore, cooperative learning has been used effectively across a wide range of content areas, including mathematics, reading, language arts, social studies and science" (p. 111). Initially, research in the realm of collaborative learning focused on functioning of an individual learner in a group: the theories which dominated cognitive psychology over the 1970s tended to emphasise the role of individual information processors in the process of cognition. The social context of this process was viewed as secondary to individual activity (Dillenbourg et al, 1996: 189). The last decades of the 20th century were marked by increased attention to the social context, and, consequently, improved understanding of the process of cognition. Much of the shift was due to growing influence of sociocultural theory in pedagogical practice. This theory is very helpful in predicting, explaining and justifying the above listed cognitive, psychological and social benefits of engaging students in collaborative learning activities MAIN DISCUSSION The theoretical background underlying contemporary models of collaborative learning relies heavily upon three major theories of learning: socio-constructivist theory, socio-cultural theory, and shared cognition theory (Dillenbourg et al, 1996). These three perspectives share the basic features of cognitive stance, including the focus on the interactive aspect of human development and learning, but the socio-cultural theory has been recently gaining momentum as the most influential among the three in the realm of language education (Lantolf, 2000; Wells, 1999). L. S. Vygotsky formulated the basics of socio-cultural theory in the 1920s and 1930s, though current conceptualisations of this approach also draw on works and ideas of other theorists (Luria, 1979; Wertsch, 1991, 1998; Newman and Holzman, 1993; Cole, 1996). The essence of socio-cultural theory is exploring the causal relationship between the social interactions and cognitive

Main idea and themes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Main idea and themes - Assignment Example The crucial aspects of the art are embedded in the tiny details of the art that can only be observed when an individual moves close enough to the sculpture. The bowheads and the bracelets of the hunters have tiny inscriptions of the lions thus revealing the sculpture must have been a representation of a culture rather than a one-day experience. Working with rudimentary tools to produce some of the most magnificent artworks, the video thus depicts the value of art in preservation of history. The video is an analysis of some of the best pieces of art collected throughout kingdoms and civilizations. Prominent among the civilizations where these pieces owe their origin is the Egyptian empire. The uniqueness and the artistic details presented in the pieces of art help in the representation of idealistic lives of significant people and events during the periods of civilization. The video thus portrays the main theme of the role of art in connection with the idealistic world (Dio, Macaluso, & Rizzolatti, 2007). Examples of some of the most magnificent pieces of art are like the golden mask. The precision with which the mask represents an idealistic face of a particular king is one that is said cannot be repeated by any individual artists. The coffins that were found in the Egyptian tombs equally present an outstanding quality in the representation of the artwork. As a move that could be viewed to show the value of art as a connection between the living and the dead, the collection of artworks have quality social and religious significance in representation of beauty, power, love and quality leadership. Greek stands as the defining point of the world democracy, nevertheless, according to the movie, there is more to Greek than just democracy. The ancient architectural designs and buildings in Greek portray a level of civilization that has