Most Important Theory EDUC 639

               For me, it is very hard to think what kind of theory is most important. There are out there a variety of teaching and learning theories, I have seen in my teaching experience that there are not bad or good theories about teaching and learning. Hamilton started, 2015) “No matter what learning theory you hold when technology is added to a classroom, the learning environment changes. Teachers can change their approaches while the technology is in use, or they will experience frustration trying to impose boundaries on students use” (Hamilton, 2015 p.15).
               I chose one theory that I think is very important in the learning process and the use of technology.
It is cultural-Historical Theory, this theory was founded by  Lev Vygotsky, the theory stresses that” human development interplay between the individual mind and society, as expressed in Vygotsky “ the mind grows through integration with others minds”.  Spector, Merrill, Elen, and Bishop (2014). also says “with regard to educational communication and technologies, cultural-historical theories stress the importance of social interaction with the world” (Spector, Merrill, Elen & Bishop, 2014, p.25). The technology has given to each individual the opportunity to interact with the world in these days. There are online tools e-learning platforms such as Khan Academy, Coursera, TedEd, and Academic Earth, that are helping people learn and interact with others.
              Thus, Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development basically says that people ( children, adults) learn by interacting either with the environment, people and I would also say interaction with technology tools, “by performing meaningful tasks” (Spector, Merrill, Elen & Bishop, 2014).
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Reference
Hamilton, B. (2015). Integrating technology in the classroom. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education.
Spector, M., Merrill M., Elen J., & Bishop M. (2014). Handbook of research on educational communications and technology. (4th ed.) New York, NY. Springer.