word
Zone of Proximal Development
zone of PROK-si-mul deh-VEL-op-ment
/zoʊn əv ˈprɒksɪməl dɪˈvɛləpmənt/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
zoneofPROKsimuldehVELopment
Dictionary meaning
A concept introduced by psychologist Lev Vygotsky describing the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance from a more knowledgeable other; tasks in this zone are the most productive for learning.
Examples
- Working within the zone of proximal development ensures the task is challenging but achievable.
- Vygotsky's zone of proximal development underpins modern scaffolding theory.
Synonyms: ZPD, learning zone
Pronunciation tips
Often abbreviated as ZPD in academic literature.
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