Vygotsky's theory has some critical ideas about teaching and learning, including the need to aim teaching to each student's zone of proximal development (the zone in which a student is ready to learn) and the need to scaffold student performance but gradually remove the scaffold so that the student becomes independent.
Learning Activity
Given that students' zones of proximal development are going to vary in any educational settings, what are some strategies for differentiating instruction that you can use? Think about classroom strategies, but also strategies related to providing extra information (e.g., online).
How can you use peer learning in an educational setting? Give specifics related to instruction you expect to do.
What are some examples of scaffolds that people use in your area of teaching/learning?
Table of Contents
Audio Files for This Page
Download the mp3s by right-clicking on the links. Play them directly by clicking on the Play button.File for This Page
Vygotsky wikispace.mp3
File for "Vygotsky's Theory"
External link belowVygotsky web page.mp3
Introduction
Vygotsky's theory has some critical ideas about teaching and learning, including the need to aim teaching to each student's zone of proximal development (the zone in which a student is ready to learn) and the need to scaffold student performance but gradually remove the scaffold so that the student becomes independent.Learning Activity
Given that students' zones of proximal development are going to vary in any educational settings, what are some strategies for differentiating instruction that you can use? Think about classroom strategies, but also strategies related to providing extra information (e.g., online).How can you use peer learning in an educational setting? Give specifics related to instruction you expect to do.
What are some examples of scaffolds that people use in your area of teaching/learning?
Vygotsky's Theory
http://www.simplypsychology.org/vygotsky.htmlThis website has a video about Vygostsky as well as a good explanation of the many facets of Vygotsky's theory.
Example
An example of scaffolding and a child becoming more independent in counting objects:Flash cards
(British spellings!)http://quizlet.com/_5gwyy