Lev Vygotsky's Theory of Developmental Psychology

Lev Vygotsky's Theory

• Lev Vygotsky was a Russian psychologist and educational theorist who pioneered the concept of the zone of proximal development and the function of culture and language in cognitive development.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory

• The sociocultural theory highlights how children acquire knowledge by observing and communicating with older peers, adults, and other authority figures.
• It emphasizes the role of social interactions, cultural beliefs, and historical influences in shaping human behavior and development.
• The theory focuses on how individuals learn and develop within their social and cultural environments.
• Internalization is a key concept, where the greater the exposure of the child to a certain way of thinking, the higher the chances of internalizing these thought patterns.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

• The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is the difference between the actions and tasks that a child can complete on their own and those that need the assistance of a more knowledgeable individual.
• It describes the gap between a subject's potential development and their current psychic development, or the skills they currently possess.
• The ZPD is influenced by social interactions and cultural factors that shape a child's cognitive development.

Scaffolding

• Scaffolding is a teaching method that enables students to gradually learn new concepts and skills by building on their existing knowledge.
• It involves providing support, guidance, and encouragement as students work through challenging tasks.
• Key components of scaffolding include clear explanations, breaking tasks into smaller steps, and providing constructive feedback.
• Scaffolding is based on the idea that students learn best when they are actively engaged and receive appropriate support and feedback.

More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)

• A More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) is someone who understands or is more skilled in a specific task, procedure, or concept than the learner.
• The MKO facilitates or scaffolds the learning process to enable the learner to perform within their ZPD.
• The MKO provides guidance and assistance to help learners master tasks that they would be unable to complete on their own.

Scaffolding in Learning

• Scaffolding is a teaching approach that allows pupils to build on their past knowledge while learning new skills or ideas.
• It entails breaking down complex work into more manageable portions and giving guidance and assistance to help students meet their learning objectives.
• Scaffolding is personalized to each learner's specific abilities, background, and experience, allowing them to realize their maximum potential.