2.1 Definition of the factor

A factor is one of the things that influence whether an event happens or the way that it happens. In relation to the topic dealt with in this unit, it is a variable that accounts for the success of the teaching and learning processes. That is, the success of such processes is dependent on some factors related to the teacher, the learner and the school environment.
Vygotsky (1978) suggested that there can be a significant difference, at any stage in learning, between what a learner can achieve unaided, compared to the situation where there is a teacher present and interacting with the learner.
Vygotsky suggested that at any moment there is some skills/knowledge that is attainable, given the learner's current knowledge at that time. At the same time some skills/knowledge cannot be accessed by the learner because he is not at a stage of preparedness to understand/absorb/implement these new skills or knowledge.
The set of skills that are currently attainable according to Vygotsky can be described as the 'Zone of Proximal Development' (ZPD). This means that one of the key aspects of effective teaching is to ensure that the learner is presented with tasks within his/her ZPD. It is important to give some thought to the actual conditions that can enhance teaching and learning, including the objective, subjective and environmental factors.