Jean Piaget developed several ideas regarding learning. In our discussion we will focus on his Schema:
The Schema
A schema describes both the mental and physical actions that are integral to both knowing and understanding. Schemas are categories of knowledge that allow us to interpret and understand the world.
In Piaget's view, a schema involved both a category of knowledge and the process of obtaining that knowledge. As experiences happen, this new information is used to modify, add to, or change previously existing schemas.
Lets look at this in practice:
A child may have a schema about a type of fruit, such as a mango. If the child's sole experience has been with yellow mango, a child might believe that all mangos are:
In Piaget's view, a schema involved both a category of knowledge and the process of obtaining that knowledge. As experiences happen, this new information is used to modify, add to, or change previously existing schemas.
Lets look at this in practice:
A child may have a schema about a type of fruit, such as a mango. If the child's sole experience has been with yellow mango, a child might believe that all mangos are:
- yellow
- soft
- sweet
The process of drawing in new information into our previously existing schemas is known as assimilation. This process is subjective, as we modify experiences and information to fit in with already existing beliefs. In the example above, seeing a green mango and labeling it "green mango" is an example of assimilating the fruit into the child's fruit schema.
Another part of adaptation involves revising our existing schemas because of newly acquired information, a process known as accommodation. Accommodation involves adjusting existing schemas as a result of new information or new experiences. This process may also result in the creation of new schemas.
Piaget postulated that all children develop a balance between assimilation and accommodation, which is achieved through a mechanism Piaget called equilibration. As children progress through the stages of cognitive development, it is important to maintain a balance between applying previous knowledge (assimilation) and changing behaviour to account for new knowledge (accommodation). Equilibration helps explain how children are able to move from one stage of thought into the next.
Another part of adaptation involves revising our existing schemas because of newly acquired information, a process known as accommodation. Accommodation involves adjusting existing schemas as a result of new information or new experiences. This process may also result in the creation of new schemas.
Piaget postulated that all children develop a balance between assimilation and accommodation, which is achieved through a mechanism Piaget called equilibration. As children progress through the stages of cognitive development, it is important to maintain a balance between applying previous knowledge (assimilation) and changing behaviour to account for new knowledge (accommodation). Equilibration helps explain how children are able to move from one stage of thought into the next.