Unit 11: Sociocultural Theory Introduction The purpose of this unit is to introduce you to sociocultural considerations in learning. While a great deal of learning research has focused on internal cognitive processes, sometimes making it seem as if people acted and solved problems in an isolated fashion, it has become increasingly clear that this is not the case. Learning does not take place in a vacuum. The perspectives we have examined so far tend to emphasize the role of the learner as an individual. There are other theories, that we will now consider, that recognize the role of the individual but place more emphasis on the social, cultural, and contextual aspects of learning. These factors are now seen as important mediators of learning and motivation. Sociocultural theory is that name given to the various related perspectives which focus on these aspects of learning. Vygotsky, a Russian psychologist who lived in the early part of the 1900’s, was an especially influential figure, whose early writings have inspired a great deal of work in these areas. In this unit we will consider some of these ideas and their applications in school and work settings. Learning Objectives For This Unit · Understand the contribution of social, cultural, and contextual factors to learning and how these can add to learning gaps in either school or work settings · Be able to apply the basic concepts from a social cultural approach to designing effective learning environments · Describe some of the context issues that influence performance in organizational settings – such as facilities, supplies, processes and procedures. · Differentiate between organizational barriers related to cultural models vs. cultural settings. · Describe the reason why cultural models do not operate in a rigid fashion and why two people with similar cultural models could behave differently in the same cultural setting. Learning Strategies for This Unit · View the recorded lecture. Write down questions about anything you do not understand.) · Complete the readings in the order listed in the syllabus, writing down one or two sentences that synthesize the major ideas. The following questions may help you organize the information in the unit: o How is a sociocultural approach different from other cognitive frameworks? o What role do social, cultural, and contextual factors play in learning processes? What evidence can you cite to demonstrate these effects? o What evidence for organizational culture as described by Schein can you find in your workplace? In-Class Practice and Feedback · Practice scenarios · Application to individual gap analysis problems What you should know before class (Write down notes and bring them to class) 1. How is a sociocultural approach different from other cognitive frameworks? 2. What role do social, cultural, and contextual factors play in learning processes? What evidence can you cite to demonstrate these effects? 3. What evidence for organizational culture as described by Schein can you find in your workplace? Advance Organizer for Next Class · Assessment and Evaluation · Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels · Fill out the Evaluation Plan from Gap Analysis Worksheet and bring to class for peer collaboration.