The zone of proximal learning (ZPL) is a concept in educational psychology that refers to the range of skills, knowledge, and abilities that a learner can acquire with the guidance and support of a more knowledgeable person, such as a teacher or tutor.
According to the ZPL theory, a learner’s full potential is not limited to what they can achieve on their own, but also includes what they can achieve with the help of a more skilled mentor or teacher. The ZPL is often described as the “sweet spot” between what a learner already knows and what they have yet to learn, with the help of a more skilled individual.
The ZPL is often used to inform teaching strategies and instructional methods. By identifying a learner’s current level of knowledge and skills, and then scaffolding instruction to gradually build upon that knowledge and skills, teachers can help learners progress toward their full potential.
The ZPL concept is also closely related to the concept of “scaffolding”, which involves providing just enough guidance and support to help a learner complete a task or solve a problem, without doing it for them. This helps learners build their own skills and knowledge, and gradually become more independent learners. learn more about School Analytics.
