Zone of proximal development

<p>The zone of proximal development (ZPD) is a concept in <a href="/facts/Educational_psychology/AF8VsLRy">educational psychology</a> that represents the space between what a learner is capable of doing unsupported and what the learner cannot do even with support. It is the range where the learner is able to perform, but only with support from a teacher or a peer with more knowledge or expertise. This person is known as the "more knowledgable other." The concept was introduced, but not fully developed, by psychologist <a href="/facts/Lev_Vygotsky/UFkx3NLV">Lev Vygotsky</a> (1896–1934) during the last three years of his life. Vygotsky argued that a child gets involved in a dialogue with the "more knowledgeable other" and gradually, through social interaction and sense-making, develops the ability to solve problems independently and do certain tasks without help. Following Vygotsky, some educators believe that the role of education is to give children experiences that are within their zones of proximal development, thereby encouraging and advancing their individual learning skills and strategies.
</p>

Zone of proximal development open-in-new

Zone of proximal development