What is scaffolding in learning?

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There are many theories on how children learn; cognitive development is a much-explored field. The sociocultural theory of cognitive development has led to the development of the idea of scaffolding.

Scaffolding Definition

Scaffolding is support a child receives as he develops a new skill or learns a new task. Scaffolding is a temporary form of assistance during the learning process, not a permanent means of of support.

Origins of Scaffolding

Lev Vgotsky is credited with the origination of the idea of scaffolding with his sociocultural theory of cognitive development. Developing out of Vgotsky's concept of zones of proximal development, scaffolding explained the support structure that a child used as she moved from one end of the zone to the other--from needing direct guidance to perform a task to needing only some assistance, to finally being able to perform a task independently.

How Scaffolding Is Used

Teachers and parents use scaffolding when teaching children by first showing the child how a task is performed, then moving through decreasing stages of involvement. These stages involve directly instructing the child about a task, then only answering questions and providing guidance as needed, and eventually allowing the child to perform the task on his own.

Effect of Scaffolding on Teaching

With the introduction of Vgotsky's theory and the concept of scaffolding, teaching methods incorporated full, active participation in the learning process.

Teaching Methods Based on Scaffolding

Because of the effectiveness of the concept of scaffolding, several teaching methods have developed from it. These methods include the cognitive apprenticeship approach, assisted discovery, mediated learning and Meichenbaum's Model of Self Regulated Learning.

Source:

"Child Development: Principles and Perspectives"; Cook, Joan Littlefield and Cook, Greg; 2005

"Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice, 8th edition"; Slavin, Robert E.; 2006

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What is scaffolding in learning?

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