4.4 Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development
Overview:
A central part of Vygotsky's theory is the idea of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). Vygotsky believed that most learning occurs when an individual is in the zone of proximal development, and therefore, the most effective way to get a person to learn is to make sure that that person is in the ZPD for the skill or concept that they are trying to learn. The purpose of this assignment is to allow you to reflect on how you can apply the concept of the ZPD to your own learning. While doing this assignment, you may find it helpful to refer to How Vygotsky Defined the Zone of Proximal Development for further information about the ZPD.
Instructions:
- In your own words, explain what it means to be in the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) and give an example of a skill that you are in the process of acquiring for which you feel you are currently in the ZPD.
- Describe how it feels to be in the ZPD for this skill. What emotions do you associate with being in the ZPD?
- Needing help to accomplish a task is a sign that you are in the ZPD. For the task that you discussed above, identify a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) who might help you move through the ZPD. Describe the kinds of interactions with this MKO that you think would be most helpful for you.
- Define scaffolding and explain how scaffolding works to keep you in the ZPD. For the skill you discussed above, describe something that you can do to scaffold your learning.
Grading policies
- Your assignment will be graded using the criteria listed in the rubric (see below) for this assignment. I will assign points and make comments in the rubric. Make sure to check the rubric for comments if you are planning to revise and resubmit.
- If you submit your assignment by the due date, it will be graded in 2-3days. If there are corrections or additions that you wish to make you may do so as long as you resubmit within the 7 days after grades have been posted.
- Making a submission that is substantially copied from an outside source without acknowledging the source is plagiarism. This is a violation of the student code of conduct. You will receive a zero for the assignment and may face other consequences, depending on the severity of the violation. The syllabus describes in detail the consequences for plagiarism.
- If you are not able to submit the assignment by the due date, please include an explanation and documentation of your excuse in the comments section when you submit. If your reason for being late is valid, you will get full credit for the assignment as long as it is submitted by the day of the Unit test.
- Any submissions after the date of the Unit test will not be accepted for credit.