When I begin working students, I talk about my teaching philosophy, which includes the idea of "zone of proximal development" or ZPD. This term is mostly credited to Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky, and suggests that people learn best when new information or skills are introduced as extensions of existing information/skills. At one end of the ZPD model is information a student already knows and can use and -- with the help and guidance of another higher-skilled person -- the student moves toward the zone of proximal development that was just outside his/her understanding. In many ways, the student's knowledge and skills "mature" into a higher level of skill.A component of ZPD is "scaffolding," which is a term I use quite a bit in class when discussing activities we do. The idea is that I show my students how to do something, then the students do the activity with me monitoring, then the students do the activity by themselves. I gradually take myself out of the equation as students become more proficient. This way, when my students and I are done working together, they can continue to do the work on their own.
ZPD guides all the activities we do in my classroom. I model writing, peer response, blogging, critical reading, researching and all the other kinds of skills students need to succeed as researchers and college students. Then I ask students to do the activities for each other and for me. Over the semester, more and more of the choices are turned over to students, as their skills and knowledge develop. By the time we reach the last four weeks of class, students should be doing most of the work for themselves. My role as a guide and coach is more as a resource (and an occasional referee).
The message to my students today is: you are in charge of the success of your portfolio. In a little less than four weeks, you will submit a portfolio that will determine 60% of your semester grade. You have the knowledge and skills to do it well. Your classmates and I are a support system -- giving you feedback and answer questions -- but you make the choices about your own work.
Most of us have been on this ZPD journey together for nearly a year. I have seen your skills and confidence as writers grow. You are ready to continue on your own. All that is left is to develop a portfolio that shows off what you've gained.
My questions are: Looking back to where you were when you began working with us (either last fall or in January) what do you see as some knowledge and skills you've gained? Are there areas that you'd like to develop more? Are you ready to move on and do the kind of work we've done on your own? What else is do you need during these last four weeks?
Works Cited
"Zone of Proximal Development Focused Teaching." State of Victoria Dept. Education and Early Childhood Development. 2007. 31 Mar. 2010. Image.
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