Republic of the Philippines

Davao Oriental State of Science and Technology

Guang-Guang, Dahican, Mati City, Davao Oriental

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A Research paper

Entitled: Developmental, Social and Individual factors in

Learner-Centered Psychological Principles

In Partial Fulfillment of the course Requirements

EDUC 124: Facilitating learning

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Presented by

Igloria F. Cañonigo

BSEDMATH III

March 2015

Introduction

Learners are key component of educative process. Since they are the reason

why learning exists throughout a variety of the studies of educational philosophies or

those of all educationalists, the focus of learning will always be in them and will continue

to take note all of the aspects that can contribute to their physical, intellectual, emotional

and social accounts. The state of why theories related to the learners’ development are

coming out is because of the factors that differentiate a learner from one another. It

relies on the cases which several proponents explain. One of it is the 14 Psychological

Principles that stick firmly on a notion that everyone in the learning community is a

leader, not just the students. However the centre of interest must align to the learner –

centered instruction in learning.

On the other hand, the concern of this research will only be bounded on the

developmental, social and individual differences factors of learning. It is clear in here

those principles for learner-centered education begins by discussing learners’

developmental some related theories and ended up on the personal examination

statements towards the study where it appears to become relevant in facilitating

learning strategy . Defining those theories suggest the appreciation of the 14 principles

as a sound framework for effective facilitating of learning.

My Discussion

One of the general definition principles of learning states that “the riches

resources for learning are the learner himself”(Corpuz-Salandanan, PT1). Each

individual got an accumulation of experiences that generates ideas, feeling, and attitude

which enable a person to become open in their selves, draw their own personal

collection of data or simply by motivated to learn. To learn is to give emphasis on what

is needed to consider. Consideration must be conceptual and basically it is necessary to

align it on what might be the purpose of learning. The most important key players in

learning process are the learners. They are embodied spirit that is needed to be fed as

a whole. Neither can it be cognitive aspect such as instinct, imagination, intellect, the

senses nor the appetitive faculties that links their feelings, emotions and rational will.

They are at the center of instruction. The world of instruction revolves around them so it

is essential to know some of the learner-centered principles regarding on this matter

which specifically determine only the developmental, social and individual differences

factor.

Developmental, Social and Individual factors

K.L Brown ( 2013) illustrate that student learning is mediated by a variety of

individual developmental factors seeing the teachers as the prime mover of educational

wheel. Defining that although all teachers are aware that the intellectual development of

students varies still they must do an approach accordingly and to be an effective

teacher they must also attend to the student’s emotional and physical development. In

this manner teacher must use techniques that suits to the developmental level of the

learners and is presented in an enjoyable and interesting way. And if one is unfamiliar

with developmental stages he can delve into the theories of Piagets (1952), Vygotsky

(1978) or Erikson (1963) . In addition, it must provide information on how to tailor

classroom activities, assessment and processes to the various developmental stages

period.

Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development

Cognitive is another part to develop in learners. He observed that children

cognitive task through their interaction with older peers and adults and describes the

difference between what children can do alone and what they can do with assistance.

He also added that an ideal environment most likely to foster healthy cognitive

development. Exposure to such experiences or society accompanied by appropriate

prompting, questioning and adjustment creates best possible environmental conditions

necessary to facilitate children’s growth.

Vygotsky’s Scaffolding

He also observed that when one works with very young children, adults, and

older pairs are prone to provide a lot of structure and direction telling children what to do

and how to do it. This leads to an idea that learning is a cooperative and collaborative

process.

Piaget’s Theory of Development

Piaget believed that the child plays an active role in the growth of intelligence and

learns by doing. He regarded the child as a philosopher who perceives the world only as

he has experienced it. Therefore, most of Piaget’s inspiration in cognitive and

intellectual development came from observations of children. The theory of cognitive

development focuses on mental processes such as perceiving, remembering, believing,

and reasoning. Reasoning is the essence of intelligence, and reasoning is what Piaget

studied in order to discover “how we come to know”.

Erikson’s Theory of Development

Erikson's contribution to the field of educational psychology may be subtler than

the mainstays of school-related research pertaining to learning and achievement. It lies

not in the products of schooling, but in helping people understand the importance of

interactions between teachers and students. Student of identity is familiar with his

theory. Erikson made two important contributions regarding classroom interaction: (a)

recognition that adolescence is a time when individuals search for the standards and

truths that really matter, and (b) adults, and especially teachers, play an important role

in adolescents' identity development. These two contributions provide insight into

effective strategies teachers can use when interacting with their adolescent students.

Kohlberg's of moral development

The theory holds that moral reasoning is the basis for ethical behavior of a child

and claimed that logic and morality develop through constructive stages.

Others such as Wertsch (1985); create the term “intellectual tool” that notes the

nature as contributor to develop humans with certain elementary mental function such

as memory, attention and capacity to make associations based on contiguity. These are

used as basic functions to make sense about environment. While Davis (1997)

demands that one of the most important task to an educational system is the acquisition

of more advance forms of the tools that must deliberate the fool understanding of the

power of the tool on the user during the period of the learning. Charles Reigeluth

(1995) shows the 2 principal agencies of development; the family and the school

powerfully shaped children’s learning experiences because there is a great diversity in

cultural background, social condition, family arrangement and school organization.

My Analysis

I have seen that facilitating learning at all times part of a whole of practical

activities that takes place in an educational institution, the student’s place of work or in

actual environments. Good teaching is a result of well organized facilitation of learning

and a well knowledgeable theoretical knowledge of learning. Also building learners

level of competence. The knowledge of the fundamental principles of learning and a

theoretical understanding of human activities is part of the core ability of a teacher.

Since teacher is the one who moves learning; they are required to understand the

diversity of people as learners. As student’s cultural backgrounds become increasingly

diverse, teachers must have the capacity to act in accordance with the capabilities of

the learners and to respond to the individual learning needs of different learners.

Planning includes too in making the learning possible. The planning processes always

involve value choices that reflect good outcomes. Moreover, teaching really must apply

value-based and ethical activities.

To level up traditional way of teaching and must have knowledge and

understanding about learning, which refers to the teacher’s awareness of learning from

the theoretical and philosophical perspective; teacher is require to have a skill that in

facilitating learning he/she must have an ability and willingness to account for the

individual characteristics of the students in the planning and implementation of teaching

and in the guidance and assessment of learning and his or her capacity to engage in

positive interaction with different learners and skills to develop and renew teaching and

learning environments in cooperation with other parties.

Else a teacher needs to review theories of learner’s development so that they will

understood the salient concepts and principles of the major development theories and

apply these to the teaching –learning processes in the classroom. Considering learners

that they learns best through interaction in order for the teacher to make sure that

maximum social interaction must takes place in the class. Teacher’s strategies also give

a part in facilitating learning. Knowing students diversity enable one to plan learning

activities that hits student’s multiple intelligences or learning styles.

All of the developmental, social and individual theories guides educationalist,

teachers even parents to a variety of strategies in nurturing the learners. My conclusion

in this study is that there are many challenges needed to face in the current skill levels

of the learners and these challenges holds in the facilitating learning processes. As

there are also challenges for learner’s development it is the teacher’s great concern to

develop new teaching methods. It is also expected that with the many challenges many

rewards will come too. It is the legacy and fulfillment that a teacher can bring and leave

on the world of learners’ development.

References

Online: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu

Online:

http://www.vitorrent.cc/search/principles+of+teaching+1+by+corpuz+and+salandanan

Online: http://oppimateriaalit.jamk.fi/tec2013/competences/facilitating-learning/

Online: https://www.google.com.ph/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Eriksons+developmental+theory