Jean Piaget’s theory has a great contribution to educational settings. The educational implications of Piaget’s cognitive theory have a significant impact. According to Piaget, the development of children is presented with the help of a sequential process. But, the ratio of development is different in children. Education can be given only after measuring the cognitive ability of the child. The credit for distributing cognitive ability into stages goes to Piaget. He preferred biological processes. And that the cognitive power of the child grows with age. Because the cognition of the student is biologically determined.
There are many cognitive theories. Some theories focus on the child’s problem. And some focus on solutions. But Piaget says that cognitive power is according to stages. And this cognitive process goes on step by step.
1. Active Learning In the educational setting, the teacher should follow the child’s ideas, suggestions, and opinions. Doing this will increase the interest of the child in teaching.
Teachers and students play an active role in the teaching process. Piaget stressed active learning compared to passive learning. It is very important to recognize cognitive power. Only then the child can become an active learner.
Active Learning Process
2. Learning by doing Children learn more by themselves. This process is dependent on active participation. This method is most useful in practical subjects ( Computer, Art & Craft).
3. Student-centered learning Jean Piaget focused on children-centered education. The child’s mind is in studies only when he/she is given education accordingly.
If the teaching method is according to the student. Then the student finds the study interesting.
The lecture method is according to the teacher. And children are not interested in this method.
Example of student-centered learning
Children’s interest in teaching comes only if they are taught accordingly. So, teachers should always use this approach.
4. Readiness to learn Piaget explained that children learn according to stages of development. And readiness plays the most important role in teaching. If the student is ready to study. Only then his learning will be strong.
In this example, If the learning level of the child has been identified. And knowledge of cognitive level. Then the student will study more interesting.
5. Make a syllabus according to cognitive development stages Children’s cognitive abilities increase with age. So, the syllabus of each class should be as per the cognitive ability of the child. And the child will become more successful in the future.
6. Simple to complex approach Children start with simple work and work their way up to hard work. So, children do not learn by hard methods.
As the cognitive stages change. the cognitive approach of the children also increases.
7. Emphasis on discovery approach Students build their knowledge by constrictive approaches. Because the discovery method is followed to make children creative. And the child becomes more creative.
The student who wants to know more. He makes discoveries. This is possible through the discovery approach.
8. Focus on problem-based learning J. Piaget more stressed problem-based questions compared to other learning.
9. Project-based learning Teachers can make learning effective through project-based learning. Children are actively engaged in project learning. This learning is very systematic. So, increases the child’s cognition level.
Other Educational Implications
Understand children’s thinking It is very important for the teacher to understand the thinking and thoughts of the children. First of all, the teacher has to understand whether the child’s thinking process is slow or fast.
Piaget’s theory shows how far a child can think. And to what level is his thinking developed?
Use of cognitive strategies Student uses cognitive strategies for the learning process. They are elaboration, repetition, imaginary thinking, and organizational approach.
Children use different strategies for learning. And slow learner more uses repetition strategies. The fast learner uses elaboration approaches. That uses the child’s imaginative thinking. They make great poets and writers.
More focus on self-learning According to Jean Piaget, if children learn on their own, their learning power can become very fast.
Student visualizes the learning process. And focus on self-learning. Then the student’s future becomes bright.
Individual Differences Piaget assumed that all children are presented with the help of the same sequence of the development process. But the rate of development in children is different. Because there are also low IQ and high IQ children in the class.
All students do not have a sharp mind. And the previous knowledge of all children is also different.
And slow learners cannot be taught with fast learners. Because there is a lot of difference in IQ level.
Twins can also have different IQ. This IQ is due to individual differences.
Conclusion
There are many theories in cognitive development. Piaget systematically explained the cognitive process of a child. He has proved the cognitive process through experiments on children. So, Piaget’s cognitive theory is used a lot in education.
If the teacher understands Piaget’s theory. Then he can make teaching even better. The fourth stage of cognitive theory is very important for adolescence. So, the theory of cognitive development should be understood by all teachers. Only then the purpose of education can be achieved.
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