Abstract

GARCIA CONI, Ana  and  VIVAS, Jorge. Exploring the zone of proximal development: a comparison between two techniques. Psic [online]. 2007, vol.8, n.2, pp. 151-158. ISSN 1676-7314.

In this work, the concept of zone of proximal development (ZPD) of Vigotsky is made operative through a method that assesses semantic distances (Distsem). It was intended to contrast a proven technique (dynamic assessment) that allows one to discriminate, from a particular population, which subjects are in the ZPD, with Distsem. These techniques, which involve geometric figures, were applied to 46 children, 6-7 years old, which attend schools in Mar del Plata, Argentina. The results show the common and different aspects presented in both techniques; Distsem proposes to establish a range based on the similarities and dissimilarities found in each set of figures, while the dynamic assessment only inquires into what pair of figures is the most similar. We observe that Distsem, whereas it works to train the potential intellectual functions of the subjects, drives their cognitive development without the intervention of an expert.

Keywords : Distsem method; Dynamic assessment; Potential cognitive functions.

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