Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES Practice Exam

Collaborative learning with technology relates closely to which educational theory?

1. Vygotsky's zone of proximal development

2. Erik Erikson's theory on psychosocial development

3. Jerome Bruner's theory on information processing

4. John Dewey's progressive education views

The correct answer is: Vygotsky's zone of proximal development

Collaborative learning with technology is strongly linked to Vygotsky's zone of proximal development because this theory emphasizes the importance of social interaction and collaboration in the learning process. Vygotsky proposed that learners can achieve higher levels of understanding with the assistance of more knowledgeable peers or adults. This concept is foundational in collaborative learning environments, where students work together and support each other's learning. In collaborative settings enhanced by technology, learners can access various resources and tools that facilitate communication and shared knowledge construction. The interaction among peers allows learners to engage in meaningful discussions, rely on each other's strengths, and scaffold one another's understanding, ultimately helping them reach their potential through the support of their collaborative group. While the other theories also have their merits in educational contexts, they do not specifically emphasize the same collaborative and social aspects of learning as Vygotsky's theory does. Erikson's theory focuses more on psychosocial development stages rather than collaboration in learning. Bruner's theory, although it discusses cognitive development, does not center on peer interaction as strongly. Dewey's views on progressive education promote experiential learning but are not as directly tied to the concept of the zone of proximal development, which specifically involves learning through social collaboration.