What is the difference between scaffolding and zone of proximal development?

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is a term used by some in education to describe a concept developed by Lev Vygotsky in the 1920s and 1930s. The idea is that learning occurs when students are given tasks that they find challenging but are capable of performing. These tasks are designed to stimulate their interest and motivation to learn, thereby stimulating their curiosity and creativity. The ZPD was popularized by John Holt in his book "How Children Fail". Scaffolding is a technique that can be used to support the ZPD. It involves teachers working with students in small groups to provide learning experiences and scaffolds that support students as they work on their own. The teacher might provide students with prompts, such as questions or problems, and then step back to observe the students’ responses. The teacher might also encourage students to share what they have learned with others in the class. Read More>>