Cognitive Development of High-School Aged Students

Cognitive Development of High-School Aged Students

In the theories of Piaget and Vygotsky, children reach certain levels of cognitive development at certain points in their lives. Piaget believed that biological development drives the movement from one stage to another. Vygotsky held that social interaction is the primary source of movement from one stage to another1.

In Piaget’s theory, children go through four stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete-operational, and formal-operational. Students at the high-school level are entering the formal operational level. Research has shown, however, that only 30 to 35% of high-school seniors attain the formal operational level.

In the formal-operational stage, intelligence is shown by the use of symbols related to abstract concepts. Piaget recommended that parents and teachers challenge the child’s abilities, but not present information that is too far above the child’s level. He also recommended that a variety of experiences be used to help the child learn.

Some of the teaching techniques that can be used for students at this cognitive level are:

· Use of charts, illustrations and more sophisticated graphs and diagrams,

· Providing students opportunities to discuss social issues,

· Providing consideration of hypothetical “other” worlds,

· Having students work in pairs to check each other’s logic in problem solving,

· Making sure some assessments use essay questions that ask students to justify their positions, and

· Teach broad concepts, not just facts.

1http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/piaget.html