By Carmel Tse/Oct. 20, 2019
University of Maryland LDT 100 Project with learning experience from the Harvard Deresk Bok Center for Teaching and Leaning. 

The zone of proximal development (ZPD) refers to the cognitive region between the knowledge and capability of a learner without the help from a “More Knowledgeable Other”, and their potential knowledge and capability following guidance from an MKO. It is within this region that cognitive development occurs as cognitive functions mature through learning (Kozulin et al, 2003).

In terms of ZPD’s application in education, Lev Vygotsky’s constructivism sees teachers as mediators of their students’ learning journeys. Their responsibility is to facilitate and track cognitive development through instructional resources and continuous assessment, with the aim of supporting a student’s continued cognitive independence (Kozulin et al, 2003). It is due to this understanding of cognition that Vygotsky’s social constructivism is seen as the bridge between behaviorism and constructivism, and that it informs current approaches to teaching and learning (including STEM subjects).

I used two imaginary examples before to explore behaviorism: Teaching up-and-coming cosmeticians at Sephora how to professionally manage beauty products; and that the role of behaviorism – as in cannabis – can be a stimulant or depressant.

Scaffolding strategy

In the case of Sephora, the new cosmeticians must have some basic knowledge about makeup prior to joining. And Sephora must have a lot of SMEs or MKOs who know a lot better than the new recruits on how to best handle the mid to upper beauty market. If ZPD is applied, the MKOs will function as a scaffold helping the youngsters blend the knowledge with professional innovations.

Innovative beauty products can be seen as a technology push while the public’s wanting of a forever young serum can be a market pull. If the two overlap, it’s a formula for success, according to the pitches of another USM course on Entrepreneurship. ZPD may be the crazy glue that bonds behaviorism and constructivism together.

Social constructivist strategy

As for the legal product of cannabis in Canada, it may have the same effects as ZPDs as I am convinced it will make anyone look beautiful in the eye of the beholding smoker. But if one wants an instant confirmation of social constructivism, one can use a more addictive habit: Instagram.

By the way, the guy who made cannabis legal in Canada was just elected a second term as the prime minister of Canada. It was rumored that he wore makeup to look pretty, still fact checking on this one.

Bibliography

Kozulin, A., Gindis, B., Ageyev, V., and Miller, S. (Eds.). 2003. Vygotsky's educational theory in cultural context. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.