Deep
Learning
and Human Development
Jan Armstrong, University of New
Mexico
It can be easy to get so
caught up in learning new terms and
theories that one loses sight of the
big picture - the real point of all this
hard work! Learning about human
development should give you a deeper understanding of the many different
pathways humans can take as they grow and develop through
the lifespan. I
hope that your studies will help you become a more perceptive,
thoughtful
person. Some of the themes around which this course has been organized
are described below.
- It is important to understand
child life from the child's
point of view. This means understanding how the way we see and make sense
of the world is affected by (a partial byproduct
of)
cognitive-developmental factors. The same applies to understanding
adolescents
and adults of all ages.
- Physical, cognitive and social
capacities
(systems) are intertwined. A change in how we understand the world
(perspective taking, for example) has implications for how we interact
with
others (playing organized games in groups) which in turn has an
impact on
physical development (motor activity, development of athletic
and perceptual
skills). Conversely, playing games (which entails motor
activity and
cognitive-perceptual activity) provides
experiences with groups
(social activity) that fosters new
understandings about
the physical and social (cognitive,
perceptual, moral)
universe.
- Development is profoundly
affected
by social context (culture
and social institutions).
- Our beliefs about the nature of
development -
what is normal
and what is not normal - are anchored in a particular
social, historical
and cultural context.
- Understanding human development
can help you better
understand your own life experiences and life course.
It can foster
enhanced self-understanding and personal growth.
- Beneficial
societal change is possible and individuals and groups can change social
institutions and policies
for the better. Teachers can be (are) change agents and public schools
simultaneously
preserve, and challenge the status quo.
- Understanding
human development deeply
and in context can help us better
appreciate human wisdom and human fallibility.
This, in turn, can help us
become more creative, innovative and effective
teachers.
Created: 4/6/03 Last update: 3/21/10
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