2. Vygotsky’s Social Constructivism
Learning as a social & communicative process whereby knowledge is shared &
understandings are constructed in a culturally formed social settings
Emphasises the importance of culture & contexts
3. Principles of Social constructivism
Learner constructs their own knowledge
Learning lead to development
Development can not be separated from its social contexts
Language plays an important role in mental development
4. Components of Social Constructivist Theory
• Construction of knowledge occurs only when the learner interacts in
a social context
• Learning occurs through the internalization of socially negotiated
mental function
• Language is tool for understanding outer world & constructing
knowledge
• Intentional learning is limited to the zone of proximal development
5. Zone of Proximal
Development
Difference between Actual development
& the Potential development
Gap between what a child can achieve
alone and what a child can achieve
maximum with the assistance of More
Knowledgeable Persons
The assistance given by the MKPs in
order to achieve the potential
development of the learner is called
Scaffolding
