Which term refers to the "Zone of Proximal Development" concept?

The term "Zone of Proximal Development" (ZPD), coined by psychologist Lev Vygotsky, refers to the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can achieve with guidance or collaboration. Scaffolding Opportunities directly relates to this concept as it involves the support provided to learners to help them accomplish tasks within their ZPD.

When educators use scaffolding, they provide temporary assistance that is gradually removed as the learner becomes more competent. This approach promotes independence and helps learners reach levels of understanding and skill that they could not achieve alone. Other options do not encapsulate this specific concept in the same impactful way. For instance, while Learning Readiness refers to the preparedness of a student to learn, it does not address the interaction between support and learner competence in the way that scaffolding does. Social Learning focuses more on learning through observation and imitation rather than direct assistance in skill acquisition. Instructional Differentiation involves tailoring educational experiences to meet different needs but does not inherently involve the support and gradual removal of that support as learners develop, which is central to the ZPD model. Therefore, Scaffolding Opportunities is the most fitting term that embodies the essence of the Zone of Proximal Development.