Vygotsky's zone of proximal development in connection with technology-enhanced learning environments

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionScientificpeer-review

    Abstract

    Technology-enhanced learning environments (TELEs) that support social interaction between teachers and learners are common in engineering higher education institutes. TELEs are often equipped with professional hardware and software, which not only enable learners to gain access to variety of learning instruments, but also allow learners to practice with authentic equipment and design tools. Furthermore, teachers can use TELEs and scaffolding principles to organize teaching in several ways that are beyond traditional classrooms. This paper discusses the potential of TELEs to shape the zone of proximal development (ZPD) of learners such that they could do harder learning activities than would otherwise be possible in less conducive environments. In addition, an example of a conducive TELE is presented that might have enlarged ZPD of learners, and, as such, may partly explain good learning outcomes obtained. The illustrations in this paper may help teachers to gain better understanding of the benefits of environment creation as well as to organize learning episodes that are suitable for ZPD-based thinking.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 45th SEFI Annual Conference 2017 - Education Excellence for Sustainability, SEFI 2017
    EditorsJose Quadrado, Jorge Bernardino, Joao Rocha
    PublisherEuropean Society for Engineering Education SEFI
    Pages1206-1213
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Electronic)9789899887572
    Publication statusPublished - 2017
    Publication typeA4 Article in conference proceedings
    EventSEFI ANNUAL CONFERENCE -
    Duration: 1 Jan 1900 → …

    Conference

    ConferenceSEFI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
    Period1/01/00 → …

    Keywords

    • Engineering education
    • Scaffolding
    • Technology-enhanced learning environments
    • Zone of proximal development

    Publication forum classification

    • No publication forum level

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Engineering
    • Education

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