ED 467 - Sociocultural Context of Learning and Development

(3.00 cr.)

Prerequisite: ED 100 or ED 101 . Examines learning, teaching, and scholastic development from a sociocultural theoretical perspective that includes situated learning theory and activity theory. It examines learning achievement and social development of children and youth in culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse educational settings. The theme of this examination is that that people learn, achieve, and develop as participants in cultural communities. Using the theoretical frameworks of sociocultural theory, situated learning theory, and activity theory, students develop an understanding of schools as cultural communities and social environments. This understanding is applied to interpreting the personal and scholastic development in young people in diverse settings, and examines those practices that promote the development of literacy, numeracy, and other academic proficiencies, as well as the identity formation of young people in these settings. Using the case of the African American and Latino experience in the United States, the course offers a systematic account of socialization and cultural practices necessary for achievement and full development of all learners of culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse backgrounds.