Introduction:

The discussion forum topic is an assignment to be submitted for a grade.  This is the fourth of ten discussion forum topics to be submitted during the semester.  This is a two part assignment.  Part 1 is to submit a response worth up to 4 points, and Part 2 is to reply to at least two of your classmates’ responses worth up to 1 point, for a total of up to 5 points for the assignment.  Read the directions carefully and read the grading rubric, then compose your response and submit your response by clicking Reply.     

Directions: 

Part 1:

In chapter 5, you have learned about theoretical approaches to studying cognitive development.  Now it is time to discuss the material.  Select one of the theoretical approaches to studying cognitive development that you like the best or that seems the most interesting to you and explain why it is the best or the most interesting to you.  Describe the theoretical approach.  And, create one question that you have about that theoretical approach.   

Tasks: 

1. Select one of the theoretical approaches to cognitive development that seems the most interesting to you.   

2. Explain why that approach seems the most interesting to you.   

3. Describe the theoretical approach that you chose.  

4. Create one question that you have about the theoretical approach to cognitive development that you chose  

5. Reply to two classmates’ responses.  

Sample of Good Work: 

For example, if you thought the cognitive neuroscience approach was the most interesting to you, then you could say that the reason the approach was the most interesting was because you plan to be a neuropsychologist one day, and you find the brain to be fascinating.  You could then describe the types of memory that have been categorized, and then create a question such as How does an infant remember who their parents are?      

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 Sunday night at 11:59 p.m.  Please see the Grading Rubric for Discussion Forum Topic.

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 Week 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.   

Part 2:  

After submitting a response to the discussion forum topic, view your classmates’ responses and reply to at least two classmates’ response by asking a question, answering a question, offering a suggestion, giving praise, agreeing, politely disagreeing, providing encouragement, sharing a story, or offering a comment.  This is due by Sunday night at 11:59 p.m.  Please see the Grading Rubric for the Discussion Forum Topic.