Reflections on Piaget

Piaget Reflection
Piaget poses three questions in this video.
“Our real problem is - - what is the goal of education? Are we forming children who are only capable of learning what is already known? Or should we try to develop creative and innovative minds, capable of discovery from the pre-school age on, throughout life?” (p. 1)

Piaget (1896-1980) is best known for his Theory of Cognitive Development or “How we come to know”. (p. 1) Piaget’s statement brings to the fore the fundamental question of why we educate. It is the educator’s job to encourage creation of knowledge as well as to teach the basic skills required by students to participate in that same construction of knowing. Teachers, parents, government, and institutions are responsible for ensuring that the tools and curriculum are available. Education is a lifelong process and inevitably learning and construction of knowledge is the goal of education.
It is my belief that our current education system is deeply rooted in old fashioned and outdated models of teaching and learning. My fear is that without radical change and the introduction of Web 2.0 tools into the classroom construction of knowledge and critical thinking skills are stifled, but not stayed. Educational institutions are slow to change, but more and more educators are using Web 2.0 technology. My hope is that this shift will continue as a catalyst for change in the way we educate.
Reference
Huitt & Hummel. (2003). Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved May, 2010 from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cogsys/piaget.html
Piaget (2007) Retrieved from YouTube May, 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtNdLKqPCyI