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Sociocultural Learning

Preschool Teacher and Students
Students
Student Membership

Lev Vigotsky (1978) theorized that as social beings, we learn with and through others more knowledgeable than ourselves. This theory posits that each person brings with them their own experiences, cultural norms, and knowledge; and that when students work together, they call upon their own funds of knowledge to share with the group, thereby building upon the ideas of one another, working collaboratively to accomplish a common goal. This idea of sociocultural learning has been used by teachers and studied by researchers for decades and has been proven to be an essential component of academic achievement, especially in the area of reading comprehension.

In order for students to learn from one another, it is my responsibility to provide the optimal learning environment. I do this by

  • Creating a secure learning environment 

  • Teaching skills for successful collaboration

  • Providing structure through 

    • clear instructions​

    • predictable classroom routines

    • use of the gradual release of responsibility in learning tasks

  • Maintaining and positively reinforcing high expectations

  • Knowing my students needs and strengths 

  • Developing authentic learning experiences

  • Establishing social interdependence

  • Providing opportunities for group processing

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