Appraise Theories for Teaching and Learning

This WebQuest will highlight Piaget and Constructive Learning Theory, as well as Maslow’s self-actualization theory and how it contributes to early childhood education. Many theorists and their discoveries still hold true in today’s society in the teaching and development of young children. There are many theorists in society that people can contribute early childhood education standards; for example Piaget, Vygotsky, Maslow, and Erikson. Maslow is the theorist that I contribute to early education theorists and giving him the most recognition. Maslow's influence on early childhood education shows the importance of meeting basic needs before cognitive learning can occur; teachers develop programs to meet children's basic needs; growth of the self - esteem movement; and the emphasis on providing safety, security, love and affection for all children.  

The important educational goals are for students to learn and to make this newly gained knowledge and information purposeful and meaningful to the students so that it may be retained and useful through their lives. An essential factor involved in meeting these goals is motivation. If students are unmotivated in one way or another, it is likely that little learning will take place, or if by chance some learning should takeplace, it is probable that it will not be retained.

This theory has great impact on educational structure. In order to maximize the effectiveness of school-wide and individual classroom teaching programs, administrators and teachers must consider student needs and their hierarchial order. This must be a top priority in the development of programs so that students have the capability of reaching their potential. 

Maslow's hierarchy of thinking occurs in a step-approach beginning with:

Life Essentials - Food, Water, Air - where these nees are unmet, children are not able to process educational ideaologies; 

Safety and Security - Safety, Freedom from Fear, Stability - educators must be able to provide a safe environment for the child and openingly discuss the child's fears. 

Belonging and Love - Love, Acceptance, and Affection - everyone wants these things and when these needs are not met, we begin to cope and overcompensate, unlike children who may begin to blame themselves for not being able to receive these things. 

Achievement and Prestige - Approval, Recognition, and Self-Esteem - children need to know that they have our approval and that we are intereted in their growth and development.  These determine a child's self - esteem. 

Aesthetic Needs - Beauty, Order, and Symmetry - When we feel good outside it makes us feel good inside, the same goes for children.  When they come to school with clean clothing on, they feel good about themselves and ultimately able to succeed. 

Finally, Self - Actualization - Maximizing One's Potential - when all the aforementioned needs are met, the child is able to focus on the tasks presented and succeed. 

Piaget was interested in how children learned and developed intellectually.  Constructivism is a cognitive theory of development and learning based on ideas of Dewey, Piaget, and Vygotsky.  This theory supports the belief that children actively seek knowledge and explains children's cognitive development, provides guidance for how and what to teach and provides direction for how to arrange learning environments.  

Find and discuss the most important events, beliefs, theories, and people (Luther, Comenius, Locke, Rousseau, Pestalozzi, Owen, Froebel, Montessori, Dewey, Piaget, Vygotsky, Maslow, Erikson, Bronfenbrenner, and Gardner) that have had an impact on early childhood education. 

Fundamentals of Childhood Education 

http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

http://www.positive-parenting-ally.com/abraham-maslow.html

http://www.learning-theories.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs.html

http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/conation/maslow.html

Purpose:  Students will retain a large amount of information that will stay with them througout the learning process.   It deals with the theories of Maslow, Piaget, Dewey, and Vygotsky, which is a contribution to the foundation in Early Childhood Education programs.

The use of many different learning styles, the information is able to be placed in a format that is small and quick to study for up coming exams on these people and their theories.  History is a great place to learn about those who have gone before you in life. History also helps you to improve upon what is there without having to reinvent the wheel.  More and more children are being provided their educational experiences in these early years at a center that offers some kind of program. 

Educators are able to understand how children adapt to their environments and adapt to various mental structures.  Through assimilation and accommodation children are able to take in sensory data (experiences and impressions) to being able to discard of an old way of doing something and adjusting to new situations.  

More over these theories help educators create environments that meet the needs of the child to ensure that the learning process is meanful and a positive experience. 

 http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=270612 

An important part of remembering all of the information that a student is required to know while taking a course is remembering it and using it.

Facts thrown at you are just a waste of time if there is no way to retain the information. Through using different actives to make flashcards the student can break up the method in which to maintain the most information.

Students that don't retain information by just reading it will benefit from this assignment as it has several different learning skills and abilities to it.