Introduction:

The discussion forum topic is an assignment to be submitted for a grade.  This is the sixth of ten discussion forum topics to be submitted during the semester.  Read the directions carefully and read the Grading Rubric, which can be viewed by clicking the three vertical dots in the upper right hand corner of the assignment, and then by clicking the words Show Rubric, then compose your response and submit your response by clicking Reply.   

Directions: 

In Chapter 5, you learned information about six theoretical approaches to studying cognitive development, such as the behaviorist approach, the psychometric approach, the Piagetian approach, the information-processing approach, the cognitive neuroscience approach, and the social-contextual approach.   

Here is a list of the approaches to studying cognitive development:

Behaviorist approach

Psychometric approach

Piagetian approach

Information-Processing approach

Cognitive Neuroscience approach

Social-Contextual approach

Given what you have learned, and acknowledging that a single theoretical approach is not sufficient to completely explain cognitive development during the first three years, complete the following Tasks. 

Tasks: 

1. State which one of the theoretical approaches to cognitive development from Chapter 5 seems to be the best one to use to study cognitive development during the first three years.
2. Explain why the approach you selected seems to be the best.   
3. Describe the theoretical approach that you chose.  
4. Create one question about the theoretical approach to cognitive development that you chose that applies to the first three years.  
5. Reply to two classmates’ responses by asking a question, answering a question, offering a suggestion, giving praise, agreeing, politely disagreeing, providing encouragement, sharing a story, or offering a comment.   

How to Complete the Assignment: 

Read the five task items, and then compose a response to each of the five task items in the order in which they appear.  Be as specific as possible.  The responses should show that you have an understanding of the concepts being addressed. 

How the Assignment will be Scored: 

The assignment will be scored using the Grading Rubric for the assignment, which can be viewed by clicking the three vertical dots in the upper right hand corner of the assignment, and then by clicking the words Show Rubric.  The Grading Rubric is based on the Task items, which are aligned with the Learning Objectives of the chapter, which are aligned with the Course Objectives that are on the Syllabus, and which are aligned with the Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the course that are on the Syllabus.  If a response meets the criterion set forth in the Grading Rubric, then the response will earn 1 point.  If a response does not meet the criterion set forth in the Grading Rubric, then the response will not earn 1 point.  Each assignment is scored independently from previous assignments and each assignment is scored independently from future assignments.  

Where to Access the Score:  

The score for the assignment will be visible in the Grades area.  To view how the score was derived, you can view the points earned on the Grading Rubric by clicking the word Show Rubric in upper right hand of the page in the Grades area for this specific assignment.  If there is individual feedback on the assignment, then there will be individual feedback in the Assignment Comments area, which is right hand side of the page. 

Student Success Tip: 

Two Samples of Good Work are provided for students to use as a guide for how to gear their responses.  One sample is in a paragraph format and the other sample is in a numbered format.  Either format is acceptable to use when submitting your response.    

Samples of Good Work: 

Sample 1

The cognitive neuroscience approach seems to be the best approach to studying cognitive development during the first three years, because cognitive development originates in the brain.  The cognitive neuroscience approach addresses memory and memory functioning, which are foundational for other types of development.  A question about the cognitive neuroscience approach to development during the first three years is: How does an infant remember who their parents are?      

Sample 2

1.   The behaviorist approach to studying cognitive development during the first three years seems to be the best approach.  
2.   A reason why the behaviorist approach seems to be the best approach to studying cognitive development during the first three years, is because of the learning aspect of the approach.
3.   The behaviorist approach deals with how cognitive development occurs through the processes of different types of learning, such as conditioning. 
4.   One question on my mind about the behaviorist approach to cognitive development during the first three years is:  How does a toddler know when to change a behavior? 

Alignment of Assignment to the Course:

This discussion forum topic ties into Student Learning Outcome (SLO) 1:

Student Learning Outcomes 1.  Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical constructs among the 4 main areas of human development (Physical, Cognitive, Social, and Emotional) throughout the lifespan.

This discussion forum topic ties into Course Objectives 1 and 3:

Course Objective 1.  Discuss the classical theoretical approaches to understanding human development across the lifespan. 

Course Objective 3.  Explain and discuss the four stages of cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget. 

This discussion forum topic ties into Learning Objectives 1, 2, and 3 for Chapter 5: 

Learning Objective 1.  Discuss theoretical approaches to studying cognitive development.   

Learning Objective 2.  Describe aspects of cognitive development.

Learning Objective 3.  Explain components of language development.   

Rationale for the Assignment:

The purpose of the discussion forum topic is to apply the course material to the real world and to your own life by giving examples that are meaningful to you.  This is due by Monday at 11:59 p.m.  Please see the Grading Rubric for Discussion Forum Topic.  

Support 

Student Support Services:  

If you need help completing this assignment, then here are links to student support:  

Pierce College Library (Links to an external site.), Center for Academic Success (Links to an external site.), and NetTutor.  

Technical Support 

If you have technical difficulties and need technical support, then contact the following two offices for free technical support.  You can also click the last icon on the Course home page in the left margin that is a question mark inside of a circle, and a menu will appear that says Help and then look for Pierce College Canvas Support to see the phone numbers.          

PierceOnline

PierceOnline (Links to an external site.)  

Email:  onlinehelp@piercecollege.edu

Phone:  (818) 788-5834 M –Th 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and F 8:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m.

Canvas Support

Phone:  (844) 303-5589 M-F 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. and weekends