I hear you! My colleagues and I regularly use this shorthand to figure out when an assignment went haywire. ("Wait--was that out of the zone?") And in parenting, I find when I scaffold something out, providing that zone-style runway for one kiddo, the others always benefit. So then I wonder just how many things I'm assuming in a tacit way that should really be explicit...? (and now they're tweens and teens!)
Sara, I love Vygotsky and your use of him is incredibly creative and so different from the way so many psychologists see his work. Your article makes me think of an activist geographer I know.
Do you know Don Mitchell? He's an Emeritus Prof from Syracuse. He's done a lot of both academic and activist work in parks in Boston where food vendors are not allowed to give food away. As the punk band Gang of Four says, "This culture gives me migraines." My best, Randy
Thanks so much, Randy! I was worried, I admit, about the cherry-picking of Vygotsky without a lot of deeper knowledge about his ideas. So, whew! :) And I don't know of Mitchell—will look up his work now, esp since Boston is in his practice. My best to you—SH
The zone makes so much sense! Wish I'd had this idea when my kids were younger — better late than never! :)
I hear you! My colleagues and I regularly use this shorthand to figure out when an assignment went haywire. ("Wait--was that out of the zone?") And in parenting, I find when I scaffold something out, providing that zone-style runway for one kiddo, the others always benefit. So then I wonder just how many things I'm assuming in a tacit way that should really be explicit...? (and now they're tweens and teens!)
Sara, I love Vygotsky and your use of him is incredibly creative and so different from the way so many psychologists see his work. Your article makes me think of an activist geographer I know.
Do you know Don Mitchell? He's an Emeritus Prof from Syracuse. He's done a lot of both academic and activist work in parks in Boston where food vendors are not allowed to give food away. As the punk band Gang of Four says, "This culture gives me migraines." My best, Randy
Thanks so much, Randy! I was worried, I admit, about the cherry-picking of Vygotsky without a lot of deeper knowledge about his ideas. So, whew! :) And I don't know of Mitchell—will look up his work now, esp since Boston is in his practice. My best to you—SH
You'll love Don and, as so many people respond to you, you will be invigorated by his energy, good will, and optimism.