Vygotsky's Social Constructivism Flashcards

Lev Vygotsky's socio-cultural theory of learning.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with guidance.

More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)

Anyone with more skill – teacher, peer or parent – who guides the learner.

Scaffolding

Temporary support that is withdrawn as the learner becomes independent.
Term coined by Wood, Bruner and Ross (1976), based on the ZPD.

Private speech

Children talking to themselves to guide their thinking – later becomes inner speech.

Role of culture and language

Learning is social; language and culture shape thinking.

Vygotsky vs Piaget

Vygotsky: learning leads development (social).
Piaget: development precedes learning (individual).