Frayer Model Group Activity
Building shared understanding of Vygotsky, the zone of proximal development, and scaffolding
How the Activity Works – Round 1 (AIx)
1
Read
Read your assigned sections of the research brief as a group.
2
Build the corners
Complete Definition, Characteristics, Examples, and Non-examples for each concept.
3
Write the GIST
Last, capture what it is and why it matters for learners in fewer than 20 words.
4
Teach back
Open by reading your GIST aloud, then walk the room through your four corners.
Corners first, GIST last. The 20-word limit forces the group to decide what matters most.
Group Assignments
1
Group 1
Sections 1 and 3
Model 1: Sociocultural theory
Model 2: More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
2
Group 2
Section 2
Model 1: Zone of Proximal Development
Model 2: The three zones
3
Group 3
Sections 4 and 7
Model 1: Internalization
Model 2: Gradual Release of Responsibility
4
Group 4
Sections 5 and 6
Model 1: Dynamic assessment
Model 2: Scaffolding
teacher, coach, mentor, tool or system. It can be a family member or workplace supervisor.
Group 1
Section 3 | Model 2 of 2
More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 1
Section 1 | Model 1 of 2
Sociocultural theory
MKO Infographic (AI!)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Development between what you know and what you don’t
WIth help vs. without help
Points to the development that is in the process of happening
Is vs. would be
Brainstorm
RIding a Bike
Building Legos
Child driving a car
The ZPD is the space where guided support helps learners develop skills they cannot yet perform independently.
Group 2
Section 2 | Model 1 of 2
Zone of Proximal Development
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 1
Section 1 | Model 1 of 2
Sociocultural theory
ZPD Infographic (AI!)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
What can I do on my own
What can I do with help
What cannot do even with help
Independence
Get up and get dressed on my own
Coffee helps come to work
Can not fix face when hearing unintelligent verbage
The three zones help teachers match support to learner needs and maximize growth and independence.
Group 2
Section 2 | Model 2 of 2
The three zones
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 1
Section 1 | Model 1 of 2
Sociocultural theory
Three Zones Infographic (AI!)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
When we take what is being explained to us and process it to our own understanding
when we are able to take something that is told to us and put it into our own words.
When we teach a student a process and then we are able to watch them work through it until they come to their own understanding of how it’s done.
When someone learns how to do something by imitating what they did without actually understanding why it works.
without being able to internalize the knowledge you don’t achieve true understanding and can’t replicate the process outside of what you’ve been shown.
Group 3
Section 4 | Model 1 of 2
Internalization
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 1
Section 1 | Model 1 of 2
Sociocultural theory
Internalization Infographic (AI!)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
A theory where the teacher will model a concept and expectations first. Then students will practice the skill with a partner or with the teacher and the final step has students practice the skill on their own.
I Do, We Do, You Do
Teacher modeling, partner work, individual assessment
lecture
Group 3
Section 7 | Model 2 of 2
Gradual Release of Responsibility
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 1
Section 1 | Model 1 of 2
Sociocultural theory
Gradual Release of Responsibility Infographic (AI!)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Dynamic-what you can do if someone helps you vs. how you are able to do something by yourself.
Trying an accounting assignment by myself without reading the chapter vs. trying an accounting assignment after reading the chapter and visiting the tutoring center for help.
Group 4
Section 5 | Model 1 of 2
Dynamic assessment
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 1
Section 1 | Model 1 of 2
Sociocultural theory
Dynamic Assessment Infographic (AI!)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 4
Section 6 | Model 2 of 2
Scaffolding
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
Group 1
Section 1 | Model 1 of 2
Sociocultural theory
Scaffolding Infographic (AI!)
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.
How the Activity Works – Round 2 (AI+)
1
Prompt the AI
Upload your assigned sections and ask AI to complete a Frayer model and GIST for your concept.
2
Compare
Place AI's model beside yours. Where do the two agree, differ, or contradict each other?
3
Verify and revise
Check AI's claims against the handout. Add any revisions to your model in a different font color.
4
Teach back
Share one thing AI added, one thing it missed or got wrong, and whether your GIST changed.
Your thinking first, AI second. Every AI suggestion gets checked against the source before it goes on the model.
Group 3
Type your concept in the center
Gradual Release of Responsibility
Definition
What is it? State it clearly and accurately.
Characteristics
What features must be present for something to count as this concept?
Examples
What does it look like in a classroom, lab, shop, or online course?
Non-examples
What looks similar but is missing a key characteristic? Name what's missing.
GIST
Write this last: what it is and why it matters for learners, in fewer than 20 words.