Vygotsky
Vygotsky believed that the variables that influenced learning are the social, cultural aspects of the learner’s environment and how what is to be learned is constructed within the learner’s zone of proximal development. Vygotsky defined the zone of proximal development as the range of tasks between actual development levels and the level of potential development. The social, cultural aspects influence not only what the learner thinks but how he thinks. The learner is actively involved in the learning process rather than simply receiving content presented by a teacher. The learner expands his level of performance by collaborating with more capable others. Language is critical for cognitive development, which is key to learning.
The teacher’s role is to motivate, serve as the more knowledgeable other, and ensure that lessons focus on concepts or categories to support the learning process. This process is not done in isolation. The learner has the opportunity to negotiate content. Scaffolding is used to support and move the learner to his appropriate level of performance within his zone of proximal development. Scaffolding allows the instructor to continually adjust the level of support given to the student in response to the student’s level of performance. Through scaffolding a student experiences immediate results and develops the skills necessary for independent problem solving.
The ideal lesson is based on the learner’s zone of proximal development as determined through appropriate assessments provided by the teacher. These assessments must target the actual level of development and the potential level of development of the learner. Opportunities are provided for the learner to interact or collaborate with peers or capable others. Self-pacing is a priority for lesson acquisition. Vygotsky believed that every child must be taught in order to learn and that learning comes from a more learned other.