COURSE CODE: CUS3701
ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 03
UNIQUE NUMBER: 751497
Year: 2023
*Please note that these assignments are from the year 2023 and may only be used as a
guideline to answer questions.
*Copying directly from this assignment is prohibited.
, QUESTION 1
The way we interpret the world around us is determined partly by our beliefs, values and
norms, but mostly by contextual influences. The educator’s interpretation and
implementation of a curriculum is also influenced by the context. Choices regarding planning
and designing a learning programme, the inclusion of particular instructional strategies and
the practical application are embedded in knowledge and the understanding of the
educational situation. Influences ranging from the political, social and economic culture to
the norms and knowledge structures of educators affect teaching and learning.
Taking the above into consideration, critically discuss the following:
1.1 A socio-constructivist’s view (Vygotsky) of the impact of context on curriculum
implementation (7 marks). Do you agree with his view (1 mark)? Justify your
answer (2 marks).
Lev Vygotsky's views were shaped as a young man during the Russian Revolution of 1917-
1918. For him it was a period of great change, both in his culture and in society. Being an
educationist, he believed that development depends on social interaction and that social
learning leads to cognitive development. Vygotsky's theory was based on the importance of
learners taking an active role in their own learning, by means that both teachers and
learners are dependent on each other through social interaction for learning to take place.
Thus, we can say that learners play an important role in their own- and peers’ learning
processes (C Booyse, E du Plessis, M Maphalala 2023).
The environment in which we live, teach, and learn influences both the teaching and
learning process. Thus, these factors should be kept in mind when developing a learning
programme. Collaboration plays a crucial role in learning where learning materials should be
designed to encourage social interaction, which promotes collaboration and interaction
among learners.
C Booyse, E du Plessis, M Maphalala 2023, states that Vygotsky's theory focus on the ZPD
(Zone of Proximal Development), where cognitive changes occur by creating learning
experiences that are at a higher developmental stage than the learner's current
developmental stage. He also argues that the overall development of a learner and every
new stage of the developmental process should be kept in mind when developing a learning
programme. This allows cognitive changes and learners to reach new levels of cognitive
development.
Vygotsky stated that teachers should use teaching strategies such like guided instruction and
collaboration in groups for learners to continue progressing to the next level of cognitive
development. To make this possible, groups of learners of different developmental levels are
needed and higher level “partners” should team up with lower-level “partners”. Teachers
need to understand contextual influences in terms of planning, instructional design and
assessment in the teaching-learning environment.
Thus, I agree with Vygotsky’s believes because how we learn is a result of our previous
experiences (knowledge), our social environment and also our cultural and language skills.
ASSIGNMENT NUMBER: 03
UNIQUE NUMBER: 751497
Year: 2023
*Please note that these assignments are from the year 2023 and may only be used as a
guideline to answer questions.
*Copying directly from this assignment is prohibited.
, QUESTION 1
The way we interpret the world around us is determined partly by our beliefs, values and
norms, but mostly by contextual influences. The educator’s interpretation and
implementation of a curriculum is also influenced by the context. Choices regarding planning
and designing a learning programme, the inclusion of particular instructional strategies and
the practical application are embedded in knowledge and the understanding of the
educational situation. Influences ranging from the political, social and economic culture to
the norms and knowledge structures of educators affect teaching and learning.
Taking the above into consideration, critically discuss the following:
1.1 A socio-constructivist’s view (Vygotsky) of the impact of context on curriculum
implementation (7 marks). Do you agree with his view (1 mark)? Justify your
answer (2 marks).
Lev Vygotsky's views were shaped as a young man during the Russian Revolution of 1917-
1918. For him it was a period of great change, both in his culture and in society. Being an
educationist, he believed that development depends on social interaction and that social
learning leads to cognitive development. Vygotsky's theory was based on the importance of
learners taking an active role in their own learning, by means that both teachers and
learners are dependent on each other through social interaction for learning to take place.
Thus, we can say that learners play an important role in their own- and peers’ learning
processes (C Booyse, E du Plessis, M Maphalala 2023).
The environment in which we live, teach, and learn influences both the teaching and
learning process. Thus, these factors should be kept in mind when developing a learning
programme. Collaboration plays a crucial role in learning where learning materials should be
designed to encourage social interaction, which promotes collaboration and interaction
among learners.
C Booyse, E du Plessis, M Maphalala 2023, states that Vygotsky's theory focus on the ZPD
(Zone of Proximal Development), where cognitive changes occur by creating learning
experiences that are at a higher developmental stage than the learner's current
developmental stage. He also argues that the overall development of a learner and every
new stage of the developmental process should be kept in mind when developing a learning
programme. This allows cognitive changes and learners to reach new levels of cognitive
development.
Vygotsky stated that teachers should use teaching strategies such like guided instruction and
collaboration in groups for learners to continue progressing to the next level of cognitive
development. To make this possible, groups of learners of different developmental levels are
needed and higher level “partners” should team up with lower-level “partners”. Teachers
need to understand contextual influences in terms of planning, instructional design and
assessment in the teaching-learning environment.
Thus, I agree with Vygotsky’s believes because how we learn is a result of our previous
experiences (knowledge), our social environment and also our cultural and language skills.
