What does scaffolding refer to in education?

Scaffolding in education refers to the practice of providing temporary support to students as they learn new skills or concepts. This approach is grounded in the understanding that learners often require guidance and assistance as they tackle complex tasks or navigate unfamiliar material. The intention of scaffolding is to help students achieve a greater level of independence in their learning processes as they gradually build their confidence and competence.

For instance, a teacher may introduce a challenging concept by first breaking it down into manageable parts and providing guidance through examples, guided practice, and feedback. As students become more adept, the teacher reduces the amount of support, allowing the learners to explore and apply the skills on their own. This method is effective because it tailors the support to the learner's current abilities and gradually withdraws that support as the learner’s skills develop, much like scaffolding that is removed from a building once its structure is sound.

In contrast, offering the same resources to all students does not take into account the varying levels of support that learners might need. Adjusting the curriculum based on student interests, while valuable, doesn’t specifically address the competencies needed to master a skill, nor does it provide the necessary support for skill development. Utilizing group projects can enhance learning through collaboration, but does not