Theoretical Framework
Sociocultural Theory
Lev Vygotsky's (2013) sociocultural theory describes how an individual's mental
functioning relates to cultural, institutional, and historical context, the roles that participate in
social interactions, and culturally organized activities (Scott & Palincsar, 2013, p. 1). Vygotsky
broke the theory into two parts: individual development and human actions by semiotics (Scott &
Palincsar, 2013, p.2). With the effect of sociocultural theory, researchers have examined the
impact of sociocultural factors and classroom environments on mathematics teaching and
learning processes (Hwang et al., 2023).
This theory is connected to the topic because sociocultural theory can be used to guide
teachers and students to collaborate with peers, help with the classroom environment, and
individual student achievements. This theory also allows students to use their cognitive and
conceptual understanding of solving mathematical problems using technology.
Cognitive Constructivism Theory
The first stage is the schema, a concept or framework that organizes and interprets
information (Sanghvi, 2020). This stage usually develops for the child between the ages of birth
to two years old. This concept is when students use the basic building blocks to help them
understand the world and knowledge. Doing this allows them to create and develop in their
physical and social environments (Sanghvi, 2020). Schema also will enable students to process
their working memory (Kirschner, 2002).
The second stage, Adaptation, is the student's tendency to develop and adjust schemas
through experimentation and direct interaction with the environment (Sanghvi, 2020). This stage
starts for children between the ages of two to seven years old. Within this stage, children begin to
think logically.
The third stage is assimilation, which turns new information into pre-existing concepts or
schema (Sanghvi, 2020). This stage starts for children between seven to eleven or twelve.
Students are taught from an early age how to do certain things to help them develop as they get
older. This stage allows students to take what they already know and apply that to life and their
education. For example, students with math learn how to identify a pattern using shapes and
colors. Then they will use that same memory to identify patterns of numbers, people, etc.
The last stage is accommodation which is the process of pre-existing concepts or schemas
that are restricted to include new information (Sanghvi, 2020). This stage starts for children
between the ages of eleven and twelve. Accommodation is used to provide every student with an
equal learning environment.
Summary
As a teacher, it is essential to identify each student's learning development and skills.
Understanding the learning process and how it can relate to students can help each student
succeed academically and help with life outside of school. The articles each explain how the two
learning theories can be taught and how to deliver them within mathematics.
With the new generation, it is imperative to understand how to teach students because of
COVID-19. Many students within the school system now have a lot of learning disabilities
because of online learning. However, understanding the learning theories and creating a
spreadsheet or hypothesis for the students will allow them to retain old and new information.
With technology being a "new generation" thing, " educators must learn to adjust to the
different learning styles. Using technology within the classroom will allow students to use their
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