#Scaffold learning how to

Scaffolding is defined as breaking learning into bite-sized chunks so students can more easily tackle complex material. In other words, tailoring teaching to meet the needs of different learning styles. But the two are actually pretty different.ĭifferentiated instruction is an approach that helps educators tailor teaching so that all students, regardless of their ability, can learn the classroom material. Sometimes teachers confuse scaffolding with differentiation. The difference between scaffolding and differentiation The more their confidence and understanding grow, the less support or scaffolding they need. You’re supporting your students as they learn new concepts.

The stronger the house is, the less it needs the scaffolding to hold it up. The crew uses scaffolding to help support the structure as its being built.

In other words, it’s like when a house is being built. Scaffolding teaching gives students the support they need by breaking learning into achievable sizes while they progress toward understanding and independence.

#Scaffold learning how to

It’s a process of teaching where an educator models or demonstrates how to solve a problem, then steps back and encourages the students to solve the problem independently. In 1976, Vygotsky’s work was revived by researchers David Wood, Gail Ross and Jerome Bruner who coined the term “scaffolding.” Their report, “ The Role of Tutoring in Problem Solving,” found that encouraging students to challenge themselves in grasping new concepts within their ZPD leads to success in learning. In the 1930s, Soviet psychologist Lev Vygotsky developed the concept “zone of proximal development” or ZPD and determined that the correct way to test young students was to test their ability to solve problems both independently and with the help of a teacher. But you may still be asking, “what is scaffolding in education?”įor starters, here’s a little background. And then you likely started using the concept without even knowing it. You probably first learned the term before you started teaching.