Scaffolding, ZPD
Zone of Proximal Development
The Zone of Proximal Development
The Zone of Proximal Development is defined as the zone between what a learner can do without assistance and what a learner can do with adult guidance or in collaboration with more capable peers. (Lev Vygotsky)
Scaffolding
Scaffolding refers to a variety of instructional techniques used to move students progressively toward stronger understanding and, ultimately, greater independence in the learning process.
Teachers provide successive levels of temporary support that help students reach higher levels of comprehension and skill acquisition that they would not be able to achieve without assistance.
Like physical scaffolding, the supportive strategies are incrementally removed when they are no longer needed, and the teacher gradually shifts more responsibility over the learning process to the student.
