What Is the Zone of Proximal Development?The zone of proximal development (ZPD), or zone of potential development, refers to the range of abilities an individual can perform with the guidance of an expert, but cannot yet perform on their own. Show
Developed by psychologist Lev Vygotsky, this learning theory may be observed in a classroom setting or anywhere else where an individual has the opportunity to develop new skills. Stages of ZPDThere are three distinct categories where a learner may fall in terms of their skill set. For learning to take place, it's critical that the expert understands the learner's specific ZPD stage. Task a Learner Cannot Accomplish With AssistanceTasks that are outside of the learner's ZPD are those that are unable to be completed even with the help of an expert. If the task isn't within the learner's ZPD, the expert may look to decrease the level of difficulty and find tasks that are more appropriate given the learner's skill level. Tasks a Learner Can Accomplish With AssistanceWhen a learner is close to mastering a skill set required to complete a task, but still needs the guidance of an expert to do so, they are considered to be in their zone of proximal development. In this situation, an expert may use various techniques to help the learner better understand the concepts and skills required to perform a task on their own. Tasks a Learner Can Accomplish Without AssistanceIn this phase, the learner is able to complete tasks independently and has mastered the skill set required to do so. The learner does not need the help of an expert. When a learner has reached this stage, the expert may increase the task difficulty level in order to find the learner's next ZPD and encourage further learning. Key FactorsThere are several core concepts developed by Vygotsky and expanded upon by others following him that have helped round out this learning theory. The success of this learning process involves:
The "More Knowledgeable Other"The "more knowledgeable other" is someone who has a higher level of knowledge than the learner and is able to provide them with instruction during their learning process. While a child might not yet be capable of doing something on their own, they are able to perform the task with the assistance of a skilled instructor, which may include a parent, a teacher, another adult, or a peer. Scaffolding TheoryWhen a child is in their ZPD, an expert will provide them with appropriate assistance to help them accomplish a new task or skill. Activities, instructions, tools, and resources that are used to aid in this learning process are known as scaffolding. Examples of scaffolding that educators may use include:
Eventually, scaffolding can be removed and the student will be able to complete the task independently. While scaffolding is most often associated with the zone of proximal development, it is not a concept that was initially introduced by Vygotsky. Instead, this term has been put forth by other researchers who have expanded on his original theories. Social InteractionFor learning to take place, Vygotsky believed that social interaction between a more knowledgeable other and the learner was critical. While the expert may be an adult, Vygotsky also emphasized the power of peer learning. For instance, when kids are learning a new concept, social interaction between the adult expert and all of the children is initially crucial. But, if some children grasp the concept, while others are still in their ZPD, peer interaction may create the most conducive environment for learning. ZPD Applications in the ClassroomThe zone of proximal development is a moving target. By giving children tasks that they cannot quite do easily on their own and providing the guidance they need to accomplish them, educators can progressively advance the learning process. Some examples of ZPD applications in the classroom:
Potential Challenges of ScaffoldingWhile scaffolding can be incredibly helpful for students learning a new concept or skill, if the teacher is unaware of each student's unique ZPD, these learning techniques may not be effective. According to research, other difficulties educators may encounter include:
A Word From VerywellThe zone of proximal development is an important concept in the fields of both education and psychology. By understanding how the ZPD works, educators and experts can be better prepared to create instruction and learning programs that maximize the tools and resources available to students. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! What is the term that Vygotsky used to describe the support of learning?Vygotsky scaffolding, commonly referred to as scaffolding, is a process used in the classroom in which a teacher or capable student helps a student within their ZPD.
What is ZPD and scaffolding?To take directly from the term, “proximal”, the ZPD envelopes those skills that the child is “close” to mastering. Scaffolding is a term that sprung out of the concept of the ZPD. It refers to the help or guidance from an adult or more competent peer to allow the child to work within the ZPD.
What is ZPD According to Vygotsky?The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) was a key construct in Lev Vygotsky's theory of learning and development. The Zone of Proximal Development is defined as the space between what a learner can do without assistance and what a learner can do with adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers.
What did Vygotsky mean by the term scaffolding?Vygotsky coined a definition of instructional scaffolding that focused on teacher practices. He defined this as, 'the role of teachers and others in supporting the learner's development and providing support structures to get to that next stage or level' (Raymond, 2000).
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