Skip to content

Ask an Academic

  • Home
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us
Teaching a class of students

Scaffolding in education

September 20, 2019 by AskanAcademic.com

A description of the learning process of scaffolding.

Question

How to apply scaffolding in education

Answer

Instructional scaffolding relates closely to Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), a term used to describe the gap between what a learner can do unassisted and what they can achieve if supported by a more knowledgeable mentor figure (1978). The process of scaffolding helps a learner to bridge this gap and improve their skills so that they can eventually perform more complex tasks unaided. It does so by initially providing a high level of support, then removing this in increments until the task can be performed by the learner independently. Wood, Bruner and Ross (1976) describe the concept as support given to a less experienced learner by a more experienced figure. This support could come in various forms, including modelling a task, offering advice to the learner or providing one-to-one coaching. In a classroom setting, a teacher may need to do this for several learners at once and use a variety of methods throughout a session to achieve this. Brush and Saye (2001) state that scaffolding can be either ‘soft’ or ‘hard’: ‘soft’ scaffolding occurs in response to a particular situation (e.g. questioning a learner’s approach to a task and supporting as needed), whereas ‘hard’ scaffolding is planned in advance (e.g. by embedding specific cues in the lesson to trigger higher-level thinking and understanding). Further, Holton and Clark (2006) discuss ‘reciprocal’ scaffolding: grouping learners together to allow them to learn and develop from each other’s experiences and insights. While scaffolding is largely accepted as being central to modern teaching practice, some academics have critiqued it on the basis that it prevents learners from making mistakes, thereby depriving them of the valuable learning experience that this can bring (Spence, 2006).

References

Brush, T. & Saye, J. (2001). ‘The use of embedded scaffolds with hypermedia-supported student-centered learning’. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 10.4, 333–356.

Holton, D. and Clark, D. (2006). ‘Scaffolding and metacognition.’ International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 37, 127-143.

Spence, L. (2006). ‘A Critique of Scaffolding.’ The Teaching Professor, 23.5, 6.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

Wood, D. J., Bruner, J. S., & Ross, G. (1976). ‘The role of tutoring in problem solving’. Journal of Child Psychiatry and Psychology, 17(2), 89-100.

Post navigation

Previous Post:

What is the likely future for Evolution on Earth?

Next Post:

Women and employment during and after World War I

Search Q&As

Categories

  • Art Media and Literature (73)
  • Business and Management (256)
  • Computing and ICT (14)
  • Construction and Engineering (35)
  • Education (90)
  • Environmental Sciences (2)
  • Finance and Economics (91)
  • Health (64)
  • Languages (12)
  • Law (88)
  • Mathematics and Statistics (2)
  • Medical Sciences (19)
  • Politics and International Relations (83)
  • Research Methodology (1)
  • Science (49)
  • Social Sciences (101)

Related Posts

  • What is Augmented Reality?
  • How does improving SEN provision help with the performance of the school?
  • Business Environment of Sainsbury’s
  • The culture of performativity in Education
  • What are learning styles?

Archives

Who We Are

Askanacademic.com is owned and operated by All Answers Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales. Company Registration No: 4964706. VAT Registration No: 842417633. Data Controller No: Z1821391.

Registered office:
Venture House
Cross Street
Arnold
Nottingham
NG5 7PJ

Main Navigation

  • Home
  • Ask a Question
  • Contact Us

Legals

  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Popular Categories

  • Business and Management
  • Law
  • Finance and Economics
  • Health
An an Academic Logo
© 2021 Ask an Academic | WordPress Theme by Superb Themes
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Reject
Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.