QUESTION 1

The Behaviourist Perspective

The behaviourist perspective focuses more on the behaviour of an individual as before,

during, and after they are taught something, especially something new. This perspective
includes operant conditioning, whereby behaviours are observed and then shaped for the sake
of having an orderly class/environment. When some behaviours are shaped, teaching and
especially learning can be enhanced. This can be achieved through operant conditioning.

The behaviourist perspective talks more to observation, application and results. With
reference to learners and studying strategies, learners grow up and adapt to a certain way of
studying that has probably been helping them out throughout the years, it is then difficult to
teach them a new strategy for studying and have them adopt it and use it. But in order for
them to adhere to such a behaviour, the educator must give them a task and let them use their
method of study, then give them another task and specifically request them to use the new
studying strategy, evidently if the new strategy yields more positive results, they are most
likely to change their studying strategy. Results play a huge role in a person’s behaviour.

QUESTION 2

Vygotsky believes that all cognitive development happens through social learning, and is not
separated from a person’s social-cultural context. While Piagat believed that there are
universal stages of development that a child must go through, Vygotsky says that learning
happens through social interactions and also through experience. He also argues that
intelligence is a changeable element of a child’s development and it is also dependant on
learning and culture.

Vygotsky says that for a child’s cognitive development to be a success there should be an
MKO – (More Knowledgeable Other). A more knowledgeable other can include parents,
educators, mentors and many more. The role of the MKO is to demonstrate ideas, values and
strategies so that a child can learn from them. I totally agree with him on this point, because
kids in development need to have someone who has more knowledge than them. This person
will be able to teach and guide the child, thus giving the child a chance to learn.

He also speaks of the ZPD – Zone of proximal development. This speaks of the limits that a
child have when learning alone without an MKO. The zone of proximal development is the
ability that a child is able to portray when they are being guided and lead by an MKO. I fully
agree with his point because learners are able to show what they are capable of when there is
someone that helps them tap into their inmost abilities.

The last one will be Authentic Activities. He says that activities that kids are given to do
should mimic real life situations. This makes it easy for learners to grasp and remember
information that has a close relation to real life events. Take learning a language for instance,
learners will have to write letters that mimic real life letter and could be useful. Learners do
very well when they learn something they can relate to. Vygotsky drives very important and
relevant points regarding teaching and learning.

QUESTION 3

TEACHING CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking refers to the object analysis and evaluation of facts in order to form a
judgement. This technique I would use when I have my learners working in groups because it
will allow them to look at things from a wider perspective than their own

ADVANTAGES
Critical thinking can equip learners and have
them ready for careers and life challenges
It helps learners get along with a wider range
of people and be able to understand how
other people live
DISADVANTAGES
It can lead learners to start questioning facts
and/or religion
Learners can easily feel lost in the process

COGNITIVE AND GUIDED INSTRUCTION

This is a learner centred approach of teaching maths. It starts from what the learner already
know and then build on their natural number sense and intuitive approach to problem solving.
I would use this approach in a situation where there is a need to solve mathematical problems
since it is focused on the development of the learner’s mathematical thinking

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Helps learners in being able to analyse It is time consuming
problems and number sentences and
determine their demands
Assesses student thinking and that helps Learners need to be given too much attention
develop their understanding of concepts and
skills.

SCAFFOLDING

This technique I would use in a situation whereby the learners have difficulties in learning
tasks

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGE
Easy to understand the what the teacher Time consuming
teahes
Minimises the number of frustrations It needs more concentration towards
concluding the topics.
All learners are actively involved in the It is a much longer process and may confuse
learning process the learners.

SIMULATION

This I could use in a situation whereby learners find it hard/difficult to understand concepts
and therefore loose interest on some lessons.

ADVANTAGES
It helps in the development of critical
thinking in the learner and teacher.
This techniques helps in linking theory with
practice of teaching
DISADVANTAGES
Simulation attempts to portray the real
situations in a simple way, which in general,
are very complex and difficult
Reduces the seriousness of learning.

PROBLEM-SOLVING

Used in a situation in which learners are faced with a problem that needs proper identification
and analysis.

ADVANTAGES
Develops long-term knowledge retention in
learners
Uses diverse instruction types.
Promotes continuous engagement of learners
Improves teamwork and interpersonal skills.
DISADVANGE
Learners may not be prepared to handle such
type of exercises
Assessing a learner’s performance
throughout a problem-based learning exercise
is time consuming
Learners end up performing very poor on
their tests

DISCUSSION

Discussion approach can be used in a situation in which sharing of ideas is needed to solve
problems

ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE

Emphasis on learning instead of teaching. It’s not appropriate for all the topics
Everyone gets to participate. Teachers may loose control over the learners
and they may end up quarrelling.
Promotes and trains self-expression

QUESTION 4