Description

A process in which an instructor adds supports for learners to enhance learning and aid in the mastery of tasks; the instructor accomplishes this by systematically building on learners’ experiences and knowledge while they are learning new skills. Scaffolding involves providing support to learners when they cannot complete a task alone. Then, when the learner can complete the task or assignment alone, the instructor withdraws their support. Scaffolding is one of the first teaching methods that you use with learners. It provides learners with a tool for accelerating their learning.

Advantages

• Learners feel supported while learning tasks that are just beyond their grasp at the moment.
• Scaffolding is an excellent way to guide learners toward the acquisition of new skills.

Disadvantages

• May require a lot of personalized support, which can be challenging to provide in a classroom environment.

Implementation

1. The instructor models a task before learners try it themselves.
2. The instructor provides the learner with a visual aid (the scaffold) that breaks the task down into small parts.
3. After 15 minutes of practice with the scaffold (the visual aid in this case), it is taken away, and the learners try the task alone.