Sample Response to Prompt/Apology

Hi, All,

I would like to give you an idea of what a response to the prompt fot the week might look like. I am responding to the one from the Think-Alouds book.

Here it is:

What I found most intriguing in the introduction to Think-Alouds is the idea of the ZPD (zone of proximal development). If the author is correct and this is the actual learning zone, it would seem very important to know exactly where that is. According to the text, if a student can do an activity on his own initially, you have taught him nothing. If a child cannot do the activity at all, you are not teaching him anything either by assigning it. It is only in the ZPD, where a child can complete an activity, but only with help, that learning actually takes place.

We just had a perfect example of this concept in our blog. Some of you had already done something like this and learned nothing from the actual experience of going to the blog. Hopefully, there will be some learning from the participation. Some of you had never attempted this and really had no idea where to go or what to do (I apologize for not helping sooner).

It seems that the crucial point here is awareness of where the ZPD is for each person, child or adult. You, as adults, made comments that led to the "tips" email I just sent. If you can post after that, learning took place. What if you still can't do it? Not your fault at all. I need to figure out "where" you are so that I can provide better tips. As adults, I can ask you to tell me where you are having problems. For children, this may be impossible. Any ideas on how to figure out where a child might be if s/he is unable to tell you what he doesn't know?

End of Sample

This was probably longer than I intended. However, it is a perfect example of the concept. I do apologize to you for not recognizing your confusion sooner -- please, keep trying. All of us can learn from each other. I never understood ZPD so clearly. Do you have any suggestions to help me help you work with us?

We just had a perfect, if unplanned. example of how crucial ZPD is. You have also taught me a valuable lesson. For that I thank you. I will have to keep adapting this approach until I find the elements that allow us all to work together more efficiently.

Vicky