Piaget's theory of cognitive development may be useful in deciding what to teach and how to teach it.

The author outlines the relevant aspects of Piaget's theory of cognitive development and argues that, far from being restricted to childhood development, the theory has relevance for adult learners. An attempt is made to demonstrate the importance of practice within the educational framework of the student who is learning to become a nurse. It is argued that emphasis should be placed upon the provision of environments which allow the student to practise the schemas which he already possesses in order to provide opportunities for the elaboration of these schemas. Piaget's view that the existence of 'schema is motivation in itself' and the environment is important insofar as it should be geared to 'match' the classroom experiences of the student with the student's ability to respond to them, is outlined; with the contention that the most important means of growth is through action and through operations that the student himself performs on the environment. The author concludes with a note of caution for curriculum planners in a Project 2000 scenario who may promote theory at the expense of practice.