Lesson 7: Scaffolding
Helping learners reach new heights, one step at a time.
π‘ Did You Know?
The term "scaffolding" in education comes from Lev Vygotsky's idea that learning is a social process. Just like construction workers need scaffolding to reach high walls, children need social support to reach new levels of knowledge!
Concept Deep Dive: The 6 Steps
How does an expert actually help? Researchers identified six "scaffolding" functions that teachers use:
1. Recruitment
Enlisting the student's interest in the task.
2. Reduction in degrees of freedom
Simplifying the task to make it manageable.
3. Direction maintenance
Keeping the student focused on the goal.
4. Marking critical features
Highlighting what really matters for success.
5. Frustration control
Making the task feel safe and less stressful.
6. Demonstration
Modeling the solution for the student.
Watch: Understanding Scaffolding
Scaffolding Toolbox
Click on a tool below to see how a "Pro Tutor" uses it!
Scaffolding Challenge
A student is stuck on a math problem. What do you do?
Practice Quiz
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Resources & Citations
- Wood, D., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. (1976). The Role of Tutoring in Problem Solving. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.