Citation: Huitt, W. (1997). Cognitive development: Applications. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University.

Retrieved 6.4.13, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/piagtuse.html

Educational Implications of Piagets Theory Piagets theories have had a major impact on the theory and practice of education (Case, 1998). First, the theories focused attention on the idea of developmentally appropriate educationan education with environments, curriculum, materials, and instruction that are suitable for students in terms of their physical and cognitive abilities and their social and emotional needs (Elkind, 1989). In addition, several major approaches to curriculum and instruction are explicitly based on Piagetian theory (Berrueta-Clement, Schweinhart, Barnett, Epstein, & Weikart, 1984), and this theory has been influential in constructivist models of learning, which will be described in Chapter 8. Berk (2001) summarizes the main teaching implications drawn from Piaget as follows: A focus on the process of childrens thinking, not just its products. In addition to checking the correctness of childrens answers, teachers must understand the processes children use to get to the answer. Appropriate learning experiences build on childrens current level of cognitive functioning, and only when teachers appreciate childrens methods of arriving at particular conclusions are they in a position to provide such experiences. Recognition of the crucial role of childrens self-initiated, active involvement in learning activities. In a Piagetian classroom the presentation of ready-made knowledge is deemphasized, and children are encouraged to discover for themselves through spontaneous interaction with the environment. Therefore, instead of teaching didactically, teachers provide a rich variety of activities that permit children to act directly on the physical world. A deemphasis on practices aimed at making children adultlike in their thinking. Piaget referred to the question How can we speed up development? as the American question. Among the many countries he visited, psychologists and educators in the United States seemed most interested in what techniques could be used to accelerate childrens progress through the stages. Piagetianbased educational programs accept his firm belief that premature teaching could be worse than no teaching at all, because it leads to superficial acceptance of adult formulas rather than true cognitive understanding (May & Kundert, 1997). Acceptance of individual differences in developmental progress. Piagets theory assumes that all children go through the same developmental sequence but that they do so at different rates. Therefore, teachers must make a special effort to arrange classroom activities for individuals and small groups of children rather than for the total class group. In addition, because individual differences are expected, assessment of childrens educational progress should be made in terms of each childs own previous course of development, not in terms of normative standards provided by the performances of same-age peers.

Educational Implications of Piagets Theory

1. A focus on the process of children's thinking, not just its products.
Teachers must understand the process children use to gain an answer, not just the correctness of the answer. When teachers can appreciate a child's method of arriving at a particular answer, they are then in the position to provide the appropriate learning environment for that child. Thus, building on the child's current level of cognitive functioning.

2. Recognition of the crucial role of children's self-initiated and active involvement in learning activities.
Children are encouraged to discover and learn for themselves through a visual and practical interaction with the subject.

3. A de-emphasis on practices aimed at children becoming 'adult-like' in their thinking.

Premature teaching may be worse than no teaching at all. It leads to a superficial acceptance of adult formulas rather than true cognitive understanding.

4. Acceptance of individual differences in developmental progress.

Piaget's theory assumes that all children go through the same sequence of development, but they do so at different rates. Teachers must make a special effort to provide classroom activities for individuals and small groups, rather than for the total class group. Assessment should be based on individual progress, rather than on the normal standards of same age peers.