Nine-year-old Ricky has recently learned how to solve long division problems, and he still struggles with especially difficult problems.At his mother's request, Ricky helps his eight-year-old sister Lucy with the simple long division problems she must do for her math homework.From the perspective of Vygotsky's theory, which one of the following is most likely to result?
A)Ricky's own long division skills will improve because he will internalize the instructions he gives Lucy.
B)Ricky will gain nothing from helping his sister because doing long division is outside his zone of proximal development.
C)Ricky's own long division skills will decrease, because any mistakes that Lucy makes will "corrupt" his own mathematical thinking.
D)By helping Lucy with her long division problems, Ricky will be able to practice using formal operational thinking skills.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Vygotsky's theory of the zone of proximal development, learning occurs when a person is assisted by someone who has a higher skill level. In this scenario, Ricky's assistance to Lucy with simple long division problems falls within his zone of proximal development, and as he explains the steps and strategies to Lucy, he is internalizing and mastering them himself. Thus, helping Lucy with her long division problems is likely to result in Ricky's own long division skills improving.

Nine-Year-Old Ricky Has Recently Learned How to Solve Long Division