The Application of Zone of Proximal Development and...

Introduction One of the pillars of Vygotsky’ theory of sociocultural development is the zone of proximal development (ZPD). The ZPD is defined as the distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers (Vygotsky, 1978, p86). The premise of this theory is that students through assistance can boost their understanding of a skill and gain mastery by first observing, receiving guidance and finally independent practice. This zone represents a stage where students are on the verge of understanding but still not capable, however with additional modeling,†¦show more content†¦In order to watch the class as naturalistically as possible, the observation was recorded by video recorder for later evaluation. All of the children’s parents signed permission forms allowing the use video tape in the classroom for professional development. The parents were assured of confidentiality. The students were unaware of the recording. Before conducting the observation, Mrs. â€Å"Brown† described the lesson. One area of focus for her students over the first quarter of the current school year is multiplicative reasoning. The commutative property has recently been introduced and Mrs. Brown has found it to be a roadblock for most of her students. She created a hands on activity to use scaffolding to first provide the students with tools and information, a plan to guide them through a practice exercise and then allow them to work independently. The scaffolding strategy Mrs. Brown is using (watch, try, practice) is also called reciprocal teaching. This strategy relies heavily on teacher-student dialogue, prompting and cues (Hallahan and Kauffman, 2006, p. 98). This lesson is designed to use the principles of ZPD by boosting a student from weak understanding of the commutative property to strong. Observation As the recording began students collected large manila envelopes filled with materials, books and pencil boxes from different areasShow MoreRelatedVygotsky s Sociocultural Theory Of Development2288 Words   |  10 PagesSociocultural Theory of Development as well as Piaget’s Stages of Development. Through outlining each theory and describing the research, a better understanding will be gained in how each can be applied within a primary classroom. Within the sociocultural theory of development lies terms which will be discussed and critiqued in regards to education. The main terms which will be reviewed are the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), a more knowledgeable other (MKO), scaffolding, elementary and higher mentalRead MoreConstructivist Theory8093 Words   |  33 Pages It is important to note that constructivism is not a particular pedagogy. In fact, constructivism is a theory describing how learning happens, regardless of whether learners are using their experiences to understand a lecture or following the instructions for building a model airplane. In both cases, the theory of constructivism suggests that learners construct knowledge out of their experiences. However, constructivism is often associated with pedagogic approaches that promote active learning,Read MoreSantrock Edpsych Ch0218723 Words   |  75 Pages02-EdPsy-Chap02-6123 8/22/06 2 3:33 PM Page 32 Physical and Cognitive Development Preview Examining the shape of children’s development allows us to understand it better. Every childhood is distinct, and is the first chapter in a new biography. This chapter is about children’s physical and cognitive development. These are some of the questions we will explore: †¢ Do children develop in distinct stages, or is their development smoother and more continuous? †¢ How do children develop physically, andRead MoreCritical Thinking - Literature Review12815 Words   |  52 Pagesglobal leader in education and education technology, provides innovative print and digital education materials for pre-K through college, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher licensure testing, teacher professional development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. Pearson’s other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information about the Assessment InformationRead MoreFS 1 portfolio10152 Words   |  41 Pagesï » ¿ St. Michael’s College College of Education Quezon Avenue, Iligan City FS-1 Portfolio The Learner’s Development and Environment First Semester A.Y 2014-2015 In Partial Fulfillment Field Study 1 Rachel Shayne A. Besangre Student Mrs. Terencia R. Arnejo Instructor October 2013 I. Acknowledgement I am very much thankful to the teachers, faculty, student and parents who helped me and gave me ideas that inspired me and touched me deeply, without them I could not