My zone of proximal development (ZPD) is personified by my father, Harold R. Wilson, who serves as my More Knowledgeable Other (MKO). He introduced me to the enchanting world of cricket and the complexities of business. By naming me Everton, in honor of his cricketing hero Sir Everton Weekes, and instructing me to bowl with my left hand and bat with my right, he has imparted his legacy.
His adventures became my learning experiences, from Sunday morning drives through the village selling chickens and vegetables, to managing the peanut machines, and showing me how to send a ball soaring out of the park. Through these shared moments, he has truly transferred his zeal to me.
Sir Everton DeCourcy Weekes (26 February 1925 – 1 July 2020).
Weekes formed one-third of the renowned cricketing trio known as the three W’s, alongside Worrell and Walcott, within the sport’s zone of proximal development. Moreover, he is often regarded as the finest batsman among them. It is humorously noted that Worrell advised Weekes not to strike the ball too forcefully, as it led fielders to abandon any attempt to pursue it, thereby saving themselves from exhaustion. This anecdote exemplifies the dynamic zone of proximal development between Worrell and Weekes.
The place of the three W’s in the West Indian popular imagination is captured best by a story the historian Ramachandra Guha relates:
“One of my favourite cricket stories is of the Archbishop of Canterbury going to preach in the Anglican Cathedral in Bridgetown. He began by saying: “I am going to speak to you about the three Ws”… A great cheer went up from the audience. But then he said, “Yes the three Ws – Work, Worship and Witness”, whereupon half the crowd walked out.”
Sir Everton DeCourcy Weekes, KCMG, GCM, OBE
Weekes was one of the finest to have played the game… Pleasing to the eye, entertaining, temperamentally and technically sound. And then, he had courage…
What is The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?
The zone of proximal development (ZPD) discovered by Lev Vygotsky (1896 – 1934) has been defined as:
“The distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving… the level of potential development as determined through problem-solving under adult guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers” (Vygotsky, 1978, p. 86).
The ZPD has become synonymous in the literature with the term scaffolding. Scaffolding was introduced by Wood, Bruner and Ross (1976).
<>Scaffolding consists of the activities provided by the educator, or more competent peer… the student is supported as he or she is led through the zone of proximal development.
Support is tapered off (i.e., withdrawn) as it becomes unnecessary, much as a scaffold is removed from a building during construction. The student will then be able to complete the task again on his own.
Zone of Proximal Development in cricket and table-tennis
My brother Junior and I broke many windowpanes playing cricket. As a result, our parents tried to solve the problem by buying us two VIC table tennis bats. Meanwhile, as we began to enter tournaments my southpaw style was recognised by Mr Herbert Christopher. On the other hand, his son, the then junior Caribbean champion Nigel, needed a southpaw training partner with a sidespin/topspin loop. So, Mr Christopher spent countless hours with his ‘box of table tennis balls’, teaching me to loop. Consequently, I developed a uniquely vicious loop. However, I learnt a lot in the Christopher table-tennis ZPD with Nigel, Andrea, Vaughn, Ian and Raymond. Moreover, this ZPD was the platform for my greatest table tennis achievement years later.
Everton Wilson National B Class Champion
The DR. HERBERT NEUBAUER Zone of Proximal Development challenge
7 times World Veterans Champion · 6 times European Veterans Champion · 4 Gold medals at the World Senior Games
In an ETTA Grand Prix tournament DR. HERBERT NEUBAUER beat me in 3 straight sets. However, after the game he said I had a very dangerous loop. For the first time I decided after age 40 to train as I did with Mr Christopher age 17-23, to see if I could beat DR. NEUBAUER the next time I met him. Above all, it was time to implement the Christopher ZPD experience. In addition, I applied the PDCA (Plan, Do, Check and Act) cycle, Jim Collins Good to Great ~ Disciplined People Thought Action (2001) plus John Doerr ~ Measure What Matters (2017) principles.
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PLAN
Firstly, load up my TTmatic 500 robot (Mr Christopher replacement) with table tennis balls. Secondly, practice forehand | backhand loop and punch against varied speeds, positions, spins and floats. Thirdly, Disciplined Thought | Jim Collins
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DO
Meanwhile, I trained four hours per day. Two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon on robot. After that I did footwork, skipping and interval training on a steep hill for 30 minutes per day. In other words, Discipline People | Jim Collins principle.
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CHECK
Next, I played games on weekends with my training partner Joe to see how my game was progressing. To clarify my OKRs—objectives and key results | Measure What Matters. | John Doerr
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ACT
Fortunately, two weeks later in the next grand prix I drew DR. HERBERT NEUBAUER in my group. He was beaten in 3 straight sets as my all-out attack on both wings proved too strong for him. The process had worked, my goal and greatest victory was achieved. I had fulfilled my lifetime dream of playing on the world stage and beating a great player. In short, Disciplined Action | Jim Collins works.
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The Importance of ZPD and OKR’s in personal development, sports, business and education.
The ZPD More Knowledgeable Other (MKO) is a great way to develop personal, sports, business or education human capital. Used in conjunction with the PDCA cycle this simple goal setting technique called OKRs—objectives and key results can help to exceed all expectations. Especially if you integrate them into your LEAN PLAN.
Conclusion
In conclusion, get in The ZPD with MKO’s and set OKRs. No matter what stage of the journey, you are, parent, student, educator, businessperson, unemployed or sports personality these universal principles work.
SUCCESS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT!
If you have any questions, contact HAROLDS OIKIA.