Re: conflict in the ZPD

stephanie spina (sspina who-is-at email.gc.cuny.edu)
Wed, 8 Oct 1997 07:32:32 -0400 (EDT)

Jay Lemke wrote:
So, some questions.

How do we learn to 'resist'? is this skill taught in the ZPD?

When we go beyond the teaching of skills that clearly get us to mutually
agreed objectives, and begin to teach discourses and practices that are
representations of a view of the world, rather than pure instrumentalities
for action, is divergence and resistance more common?

What are the principle sources of divergence? differences in the lived
experiences and 'interestednesses' of junior/senior partners widely
separated in age, class, culture, ...? direct reactive resistances to
something (what?) about the proposed to-be-learned?
Are there substantial differences in cultural (class, gender, age, ...)
styles and preferences for responding to divergence in ZPD interactions?
authoritarian-conflictual, passive-aggressive, dilatory, dissembling,
accomodative ...? I think here we have a considerable literature on
enculturation practices to draw on, from mother-infant 'control' practices
across cultures, to those of various informal and formal educational
systems.

A large subject, but seemingly a very important one. JAY.
ENDQUOTE

Good questions, Jay. Thanks.
Stephanie