When a learner intends to learn a new skill, she/he needs to have acquired certain prerequisites. But the absence of such prerequisites should not bar the student from learning. So how do instructors facilitate effective learning in such circumstances? As an instructor, you need to be aware of students’ zone of proximal development (ZPD). This is essential because it helps educators identify the range between what a student can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance or collaboration. This insight enables instructors to provide targeted support that challenges students just beyond their current capabilities, fostering growth without overwhelming them. Educators can then design learning activities that maximize development, provide room for scaffolded learning, and encourage the acquisition of complex skills.
ZPD analysis is the primary step to be taken when one thinks of designing an AI chatbot as a learning companion, as it helps define the level of guidance the chatbot should provide to support learners effectively. It is interesting to note that students love learning with an AI companion as it is available 24 x 7 and seamlessly available.
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