The Theory
- Lev Vgotsky, the Russian born seminal psychologist, often referred along side Piaget as helping expand the world of developmental, and educational psychology. Vgotsky wasn't exactly a welcomed commodity in the Soviet Union, in fact even after his death the ideas and concepts of his teachings were still repressed. After updates and a broader outlook, one of Vgotsky's theories still reigns supreme; and the is the Zone of Proximal development (ZPD.) As included in the diagram below, the zones are broken down into three sections. As a teacher, we will have students who cannot accomplish the same amount of tasks as other students. Entering Vgotsky, who was one of the first to bring in the idea of "scaffolding". By pairing a lower student with a higher student, you build up the knowledge and competence little by little. At certain points throughout the development, we would ween the lower student away from the higher student, trying to create a more competent student. Unlike some of the theories mentioned before this, this theory is ever changing because the zone will change gradually over time and not usually stray from this model.
(Vygotsky, 1962)
(Vygotsky, 1962)
Application
- This theory is probably my favorite, because it is one that i feel like in my classroom I have direct control over. By watching my students, I will be able to pair each of my students up with someone who is grasping the concept better than the others. But I think the scaffolding theory has one flaw, and thats the teaching ability of the other student. And not only the teaching side, but how have they known the struggle the other student has gone through? How can they explain how to grasp something when they might not understand it?
- For my solution, I plan on taking the process slow. I will start from the top down, taking the best students and having them teach two or three of the semi-struggling students what the know. After this point, the kids who grasp the knowledge will return back to work, and the kids who struggled with their new found knowledge can spread their wealth with the people even below them. A very socialistic approach, but I believe that the students who understand the trials and tribulations of struggling on a subject, they will be able to effectively communicate proper direction for each student they help.
- For my solution, I plan on taking the process slow. I will start from the top down, taking the best students and having them teach two or three of the semi-struggling students what the know. After this point, the kids who grasp the knowledge will return back to work, and the kids who struggled with their new found knowledge can spread their wealth with the people even below them. A very socialistic approach, but I believe that the students who understand the trials and tribulations of struggling on a subject, they will be able to effectively communicate proper direction for each student they help.
Standard
5.3 the ability to apply skills and strategies for planning and adapting learning environments that reflect cultural competency; are responsive to the characteristics, strengths, experiences, and needs of each student; and promote all students' development and learning