Learners & Learning - Another case study

 

Description of Theory and stage adopted:

Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist known for his influential stage theory of cognitive development. His theory, which has had a profound impact on the field of developmental psychology, outlines the stages through which children progress as they develop their cognitive abilities. Piaget's stage theory is characterized by four key stages, each marked by specific cognitive processes and milestones:

Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 years): During this initial stage, infants and toddlers primarily interact with the world through their senses and motor skills. Key developments in this stage include object permanence, where a child understands that an object continues to exist even when it's out of sight, and the development of basic motor and sensory coordination.

Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years): In the preoperational stage, children begin to develop language and engage in symbolic thinking. They use symbols and words to represent objects and concepts, enabling them to engage in pretend play. However, their thinking remains egocentric, and they struggle with concepts like conservation, where the quantity of a substance remains the same despite changes in appearance.

Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 years): During this stage, children acquire the ability to think logically and understand concrete operations. They can perform mental operations, such as conservation, and understand concepts like reversibility. They become less egocentric and can consider others' perspectives more effectively.

Formal Operational Stage (11 years and onward): In the final stage, individuals develop the capacity for abstract and hypothetical thinking. They can engage in complex problem-solving and think critically about a wide range of topics. This stage is characterized by the ability to reason logically and think in more abstract, theoretical terms.

Piaget's stage theory emphasizes the qualitative shifts in cognitive development that occur as children progress through these stages. He believed that children actively construct their understanding of the world by interacting with their environment, and cognitive development is driven by processes of assimilation (fitting new information into existing mental structures) and accommodation (adapting mental structures to incorporate new information).

Piaget's work has been instrumental in shaping our understanding of child development and has had a profound influence on educational practices. His stage theory highlights the importance of providing age-appropriate learning experiences that align with a child's current cognitive stage. While Piaget's theory has been widely influential, it's essential to note that some aspects of his theory have been revised and refined by later researchers, as there is ongoing debate in the field of developmental psychology.

Stages adopted for Observation

Two children belonging to Pre-operational and Concrete operational stages were observed. The observation happened in the presence of the mother of the children (both were siblings). The older child- Child A is eight years old and the younger child – Child B is 4 years old.

 

Technology milestone used:

A technology milestone refers to a significant and noteworthy event or achievement in the development, deployment, or adoption of a particular technology. These milestones represent key points in the advancement and evolution of technology, marking moments when a technology has achieved a specific goal, broken through a barrier, or made a significant impact on society, industry, or research.

For the observation in this case, we have considered how technology has become an integral part of learning and daily life, for not adults but children.

Technology milestones considered are:

1. How are the children reacting to performing certain tasks on a device that they are familiar with? (In this case it was an Apple Ipad)

2. How are they embracing unfamiliarity in technology or devices like an android mobile phone and a Windows laptop?

3. How can they perform tasks given?

 

Context of observation:

The children observed are siblings, which makes it easier for the comparison to be made. The Child A is into a CBSE curriculum and is in her third grade. They have a computer class that spans for one and half hours every week. They have a computer lab session also, that spans over an hour every week. The child is exposed to mobile phones, laptops, tablets and smart TVs, so much so that she can connect to her class online on her own. She is not allowed to access the devices without parental supervision. She might gain access to a desktop very soon. Because of her computer class in school she has gained exposure to applications like Paint 3D, MS word and few applications such.

Child B is 4 years old and is in the same school in PP1. She does not have any formal introduction into using a computer. Though, she has always had access to an Ipad, a smart TV and few mobile phones always under parental supervision.

 

Observation Process planned:

The observation plan was to understand how the children reacted to technology through their performance in certain tasks. The children were familiar with Apple devices. The idea was to present them with some unfamiliarity. They were given an Android mobile phone, an Apple Ipad and a Windows laptop.

	Android mobile phone	Apple Ipad	Windows laptop
Task given	Identify an application and explain its usage.	Show what they know on the Ipad.	Open a browser and search for ‘technology’.

 

Process implemented:

The children were interacted with at their house which was comfortable for them. The mother of the children was interviewed first to understand how she includes basic technology as a functional part of the children’s lives. She was asked what technology meant to her, and how important she thinks it is for the children.

There was slight inclination, of the mother which surfaced during this process, towards believing that usage of technology leads into dependence. To believe that technology can be an enabler and how it should be made an enabler show be taught from a young age might take a while to happen.

After the interaction with the mother, she was asked not to be present in the same room. The steps that were followed for the observation:

1.      The children were asked to show what they already knew in the Ipad. They were asked to open youtube and play a song they liked.

2.      The children were given an android mobile phone and asked to repeat the same activity as they did on the Ipad.

3.      They were given a laptop and were asked to open a browser and search for ‘technology’.

 

Template of observation to be filled after the observations:

The questions that were a part of the observation were:

Why do we need a mobile?	What is an Ipad?
What is a computer?	How are they different?
What is a laptop?	What is internet?
What are applications in these devices?	Can you break down the steps of operation, if asked?
Which of these devices are you most comfortable with?

 

These are not close ended questions asked to the children. They had time given to them to reflect on the questions.

The responses were:

Child A:

Why do we need a mobile?	It helps us talk to people who are not near us.
What is an Ipad?	Similar to phone but can’t call anyone. I can listen to my classes on Ipad.
What is a computer?	Computer helps me access internet.
How are they different?	Mobile is a phone, but computer and ipad have more uses.
What is a laptop?	Laptop is a small computer.
What is internet?	Internet is a network where everyone stores their data.
What are applications in these devices?	NA
Can you break down the steps of operation, if asked?	I can try.
Which of these devices are you most comfortable with?	Ipad.

 

 

Child B:

Why do we need a mobile?	It can be used to call people and talk to them.
What is an Ipad?	My sister attends classes and watches some videos
What is a computer?	NA
How are they different?	Computer is big, Ipad is small.
What is a laptop?	Small computer
What is internet?	NA
What are applications in these devices?	NA
Can you break down the steps of operation, if asked?	NA
Which of these devices are you most comfortable with?	Ipad.

 

 

 

Conclusion and evidence from observation

The conclusions from the observation made are as follows:

The Child A:

·        She was able to identify the applications she regularly used and could describe their functionality to an extent. She was able to use the ipad without any hesitation or reluctance.

·        She could identify the application in the android phone also. She was not used to this interface, yet did not find a big problem.

·        She was not able to identify what a browser is initially, but with some time given with the laptop, she was able to figure out the browser application. She could search for ‘technology’

·        Conclusion: The child was confident when it was a device she was used to, but was extremely conscious of being judged or making a mistake with the new devices. The inquisitivity was helping her sail through the task. There was a lot of push, not help, required for her to confidently go ahead with the task.

The Child B:

·        Seeing the older sibling get comfortable, the younger one also grew comfortable with time.

·        She could point out the youtube application on the ipad and recognize more applications but could not explain anything about them.

·        She could point out the application on the mobile phone for the first time, but when the app was removed from that place and rearranged, she was not able to point out the app.

·        She was not acquainted with any computer until now, so she could not perform the task on the computer.

 

Support of conclusion from developmental theory adopted

Piaget's work does not directly address modern learning technology, his insights can inform how technology is employed to support cognitive development in learners.

Schemas and Assimilation: Piaget's theory emphasizes the importance of schemas, which are mental structures that individuals use to organize their understanding of the world. Learning technology can help students build and adapt their schemas by providing interactive and dynamic content. Educational software, simulations, and online learning platforms can present information in various ways, accommodating different learning styles and allowing learners to assimilate new knowledge into their existing mental structures.

Accommodation: Accommodation is the process of modifying existing schemas or creating new ones to accommodate new information. Learning technology can create adaptive learning experiences, tailoring content to an individual student's pace and level of understanding. This accommodation ensures that students have opportunities to build and modify their schemas as they encounter new concepts.

Interaction: Piaget highlighted the importance of interaction with the physical and social environment for cognitive development. Learning technology, such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and simulations, provides students with interactive, hands-on experiences. These technologies can simulate real-world scenarios, allowing learners to engage with and explore complex concepts in a safe and controlled environment.

Active Learning: Piaget's theory emphasizes the role of active, hands-on experiences in cognitive development. Learning technology can support active learning by offering educational games, problem-solving activities, and simulations that require students to actively engage with the content, make decisions, and solve problems.

Discovery Learning: Piaget believed that children learn best through active discovery and exploration. Learning technology can facilitate discovery learning by presenting students with open-ended questions and problems, encouraging them to explore and experiment. Educational apps and software often incorporate problem-based and inquiry-based learning approaches.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): Vygotsky's concept of the ZPD, which builds upon Piaget's work, emphasizes the importance of providing learners with tasks that are just beyond their current level of competence but can be achieved with guidance. Learning technology can offer adaptive assessments and personalized learning pathways, adjusting the difficulty level of tasks to match a student's ZPD.

Social Interaction: While Piaget's theory primarily focuses on individual cognitive development, social interaction is a critical aspect of learning. Learning technology can facilitate social learning experiences, including collaborative online projects, discussion forums, and group activities. These interactions support the development of higher-order cognitive skills and social intelligence.

Reflective Thinking: Piaget's work underscores the importance of reflection and metacognition. Learning technology can encourage students to think about their thinking, assess their understanding, and set goals for learning. E-portfolios and self-assessment tools can promote metacognitive development.

 

Support of conclusion from other relevant literature from education technology

B.F. Skinner's concept of the "teaching machine" and the subsequent evolution of computers in education have laid the foundation for the current state of Educational Technology (EdTech). While Skinner's teaching machine was a simple mechanical device, the principles behind it have influenced the development of modern computer-based educational tools and systems.

Skinner's Teaching Machine:

Concept: Skinner's teaching machine, developed in the mid-20th century, was a mechanical device designed to deliver programmed instruction. It presented students with a series of questions or problems, provided feedback based on their responses, and allowed them to progress at their own pace through material.

Feedback: Skinner's machine offered immediate feedback, reinforcing correct responses and encouraging students to continue. This concept of timely feedback is a cornerstone of effective learning, and it remains integral to EdTech today.

Adaptive Learning: Skinner's teaching machine introduced the concept of individualized and adaptive learning, where students could progress through material at their own pace, receiving additional instruction when needed. This concept is now a central feature of modern EdTech.

Simplicity: Skinner's device was a simple, mechanical apparatus, emphasizing the importance of straightforward, user-friendly interfaces. This concept of simplicity and ease of use continues to be a focus in the design of EdTech interfaces.

Contemporary EdTech:

Ubiquity: EdTech is now widely accessible, with computers and mobile devices integrated into everyday learning. Access to the internet and a vast array of educational software and platforms have transformed the way people learn and access information.

Multimedia and Interactivity: Modern EdTech offers a wide range of multimedia resources, including videos, simulations, and interactive exercises. The focus is on creating engaging and interactive learning experiences that cater to diverse learning styles.

Adaptive Learning Algorithms: EdTech utilizes advanced algorithms to provide personalized and adaptive learning experiences. These algorithms analyze student performance and tailor content to individual needs, ensuring that students receive the appropriate level of challenge and support.

Blended and Online Learning: EdTech has enabled the growth of blended learning, where traditional classroom instruction is complemented by digital resources. Additionally, online learning platforms offer flexibility in terms of location and pace of learning.

Global Reach: EdTech has the potential to reach learners worldwide, breaking down geographical barriers and expanding educational access. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and other online learning platforms have a global reach.

 

 

What cannot be concluded from observations?

Typically, the children observed cannot be taken as a metric or standardization of knowledge. They are just reflections, in one way, of only some ways of knowledge imparting. Whether or not the actions were driven by a solid reason or by a vague memory from earlier is not something that could be understood or concluded. The parents’ supervision over the children proves to be an influential factor but whether it impacts the child positively or negatively is subject to the individual.