Several instructional techniques can be used by educators to incorporate social processes in the classroom. Some of these include classroom discussion, reciprocal teaching, cooperative learning, peer tutoring, communities of learners, and use of computerized technologies. Such innovations allow significant peer interaction between learners and can be especially beneficial in small group learning exercises (Ormrod, 2008).
The principle of distributed cognition involves "spreading the learning task across many minds [to] draw on multiple knowledge bases and ideas" (Ormrod, 2008, p. 429). According to principles of Vygotsky's theory, learners are more likely to internalize and independently apply study skills used in collaboration with others. Students can also be more willing to explore and experiment when they work without constant teacher oversight (Ormrod, 2008).
Educators, you are specifically encouraged to visit this website to view an excellent powerpoint presentation on Piaget and Vygotsky:
http://www.bcs.rochester.edu/courses/crsinf/172/0405_sociocultural.pdf
Please pay special attention to the slides on the Piagetian Classroom and the Vygotskian Classroom (BCS, 2012).
How can you incorporate these ideas in your classroom? Perhaps you already do. If so, please share in the comments section.
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