EMA1501 ASSIGNMENT 2 S1 2023
EMERGENT MATHEMATICS
EMA1501
ASSESSMENT 2 S1 2023
Question 1
1. Bruner’s theory focuses on levels of knowing and operates on three levels, that is,
enactive, iconic and symbolic levels.
1.1 Discuss the three types of knowledge and provide an example of each. Do not
use the examples in the study guide, create your own.
According to Bruner, learning happens through enactive (action-based) means, iconic
(visual) means, and symbolic (abstract, in the form of 'codes' or symbols, hence
language) methods.
Enactive knowledge
This knowledge comes from playing with things and moving around. This means
everything the young child does, like putting things in order or figuring out how many
there are. Enactive learning means learning by doing or experiencing. For example,
walking around the classroom and touching things that have the same shape as a box
or using fingers to count are examples of enactive learning.
Iconic knowledge
This pertains to cognitive processes in which a child employs depictions or visual aids of
tangible items, such as photographs or illustrations. The focal point lies on visual and
perceptual details according to Schultz, Colarusso, and Strawderman's 1989 study.
When kids are given a picture of three butterflies and instructed to sketch a flower for
every butterfly, it showcases a type of knowledge.
Symbolic level
The statement pertains to the skill of utilizing conceptual representations. The objective
of mathematics is to attain the pinnacle of emblematic comprehension. This implies that
the child will initially use concrete objects such as 2 actual apples to count (at an
inactive stage) and then progress to counting 2 apple images (at an iconic stage) before
finally being able to use numerical symbols to express 1 + 1 = 2 (at a symbolic stage).
1
, EMA1501 ASSIGNMENT 2 S1 2023
1.2 Generate a three-column table where you evaluate how learning takes place
according to:
Piaget
Vygotsky
Bruner
TABLE 1:
Evaluation of How Learning Takes Place According to:
PIAGET VYGOTSKY BRUNER
Learning is a process of Vygotsky theorized According to Bruner’s theory,
adaptation to environmental learning. He believed that learning is an active process
stimuli, involving successive learning happens in three where information is gathered
periods of: different stages: and new ideas are formed
concerning past knowledge and
Assimilation: current knowledge.
Students use their experiences Cognitive:
and observations to build their Bruner identified that learning
understanding. Children may Cognitive learning involves occurs
relate a butterfly's life cycle to thinking about concepts
that of humans. and ideas Through enactive means
Doing, which is action based,
Accommodation:
Conflict between new info and Motoric:
internal models leads to Iconic means
adaptation. Motoric learning involves Seeing, which is visual
doing things
Equilibration:
Learning relies on experience
and students' maturity and Sociocultural: Symbolic means
ability to absorb stimuli. Piaget
found that students are limited Sociocultural learning Abstract, which is in the form of
by their current cognitive involves interacting with 'codes' or symbols i.e. language.
structures in understanding others.
new phenomena.
2
EMERGENT MATHEMATICS
EMA1501
ASSESSMENT 2 S1 2023
Question 1
1. Bruner’s theory focuses on levels of knowing and operates on three levels, that is,
enactive, iconic and symbolic levels.
1.1 Discuss the three types of knowledge and provide an example of each. Do not
use the examples in the study guide, create your own.
According to Bruner, learning happens through enactive (action-based) means, iconic
(visual) means, and symbolic (abstract, in the form of 'codes' or symbols, hence
language) methods.
Enactive knowledge
This knowledge comes from playing with things and moving around. This means
everything the young child does, like putting things in order or figuring out how many
there are. Enactive learning means learning by doing or experiencing. For example,
walking around the classroom and touching things that have the same shape as a box
or using fingers to count are examples of enactive learning.
Iconic knowledge
This pertains to cognitive processes in which a child employs depictions or visual aids of
tangible items, such as photographs or illustrations. The focal point lies on visual and
perceptual details according to Schultz, Colarusso, and Strawderman's 1989 study.
When kids are given a picture of three butterflies and instructed to sketch a flower for
every butterfly, it showcases a type of knowledge.
Symbolic level
The statement pertains to the skill of utilizing conceptual representations. The objective
of mathematics is to attain the pinnacle of emblematic comprehension. This implies that
the child will initially use concrete objects such as 2 actual apples to count (at an
inactive stage) and then progress to counting 2 apple images (at an iconic stage) before
finally being able to use numerical symbols to express 1 + 1 = 2 (at a symbolic stage).
1
, EMA1501 ASSIGNMENT 2 S1 2023
1.2 Generate a three-column table where you evaluate how learning takes place
according to:
Piaget
Vygotsky
Bruner
TABLE 1:
Evaluation of How Learning Takes Place According to:
PIAGET VYGOTSKY BRUNER
Learning is a process of Vygotsky theorized According to Bruner’s theory,
adaptation to environmental learning. He believed that learning is an active process
stimuli, involving successive learning happens in three where information is gathered
periods of: different stages: and new ideas are formed
concerning past knowledge and
Assimilation: current knowledge.
Students use their experiences Cognitive:
and observations to build their Bruner identified that learning
understanding. Children may Cognitive learning involves occurs
relate a butterfly's life cycle to thinking about concepts
that of humans. and ideas Through enactive means
Doing, which is action based,
Accommodation:
Conflict between new info and Motoric:
internal models leads to Iconic means
adaptation. Motoric learning involves Seeing, which is visual
doing things
Equilibration:
Learning relies on experience
and students' maturity and Sociocultural: Symbolic means
ability to absorb stimuli. Piaget
found that students are limited Sociocultural learning Abstract, which is in the form of
by their current cognitive involves interacting with 'codes' or symbols i.e. language.
structures in understanding others.
new phenomena.
2
