Exploring Learning – WEEK 2 pre-session reading:
VYGOTSKY, SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM, LEARNING & TEACHING
Slide 3: who is Vygotsky
Nov 1896
Studied medicine, then law, then literature, art & philosophy
Career: junior psychologist, lecturer in psychology where he began his research
works on his theory
work was originally banned
died of tuberculosis 1934, 37 yrs old.
Slide 4: TIMELINE
1. Piaget born aug 1896
2. Vygotsky born nov 1896
3. Piaget’s earlier work translated into English in late 1920s/early 1930s
4. Vygotsky died June 1934 (37 yrs old)
5. Vygotskys work not translated into English until early 1960s
6. Piaget died sept 1980 (84 yrs old)
Slide 6 & 7 & 8 & 9 ZPD
Zpd = zone of proximal development
ZPD = “distance between actual developmental level as determined by independent
problem solving & level of potential development as determined through problem
solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers” –
VYGOTSKY, 1978
Not a specific quality of child, or quality of educational setting/educators BUT is
collaboratively produced in interaction between child & more knowledgeable others
(MKO).
Aim = lift learner to become ‘a head taller’
Competent person
(mko) supports,
encourages &
helps us bridge the
gap (zpd).
VYGOTSKY, SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM, LEARNING & TEACHING
Slide 3: who is Vygotsky
Nov 1896
Studied medicine, then law, then literature, art & philosophy
Career: junior psychologist, lecturer in psychology where he began his research
works on his theory
work was originally banned
died of tuberculosis 1934, 37 yrs old.
Slide 4: TIMELINE
1. Piaget born aug 1896
2. Vygotsky born nov 1896
3. Piaget’s earlier work translated into English in late 1920s/early 1930s
4. Vygotsky died June 1934 (37 yrs old)
5. Vygotskys work not translated into English until early 1960s
6. Piaget died sept 1980 (84 yrs old)
Slide 6 & 7 & 8 & 9 ZPD
Zpd = zone of proximal development
ZPD = “distance between actual developmental level as determined by independent
problem solving & level of potential development as determined through problem
solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers” –
VYGOTSKY, 1978
Not a specific quality of child, or quality of educational setting/educators BUT is
collaboratively produced in interaction between child & more knowledgeable others
(MKO).
Aim = lift learner to become ‘a head taller’
Competent person
(mko) supports,
encourages &
helps us bridge the
gap (zpd).
