“Through others, we become ourselves.”-Lev Vygotsky

Zone of Proximal Development

The zone of proximal development is the gap between what a learner has already mastered (the actual level of development) and what he or she can achieve when provided with educational support (potential development). For more information on ZPD, please read this article. Additionally, the following is a short video about “Zone of Proximal Development. If the video does not show up below you can view it on YouTube by clicking this link.”

Vygotsky v. Piaget

The following is a video which provides a brief overview on the views of developmental psychologist Jean Piaget’s, a Swiss clinical psychologist, theory of cognitive development and that of Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky’s, a Soviet psychologist, theory of human cultural and bio-social development. If the video does not show up below you can view it on YouTube by clicking this link.

Scaffolding

Often used with ZPD-focused instruction, scaffolding is essential. To become familiar with this term and it’s meaning in the classroom, please read this article.