What does scaffolding in education provide students?

Scaffolding in education refers to the instructional technique where educators provide temporary support to students to help them achieve a specific learning goal or skill acquisition. This support is carefully tailored to meet the needs of each student and is gradually removed as they become more proficient and confident in their abilities. The purpose of scaffolding is to facilitate learning by allowing students to build on existing knowledge and skills, ensuring they are not overwhelmed and can experience success in their learning journey.

As students demonstrate increased understanding and competency, the scaffolding is reduced, allowing them to take greater ownership of their learning. This approach fosters independence and resilience in learners, helping them to tackle more complex tasks without constant assistance, mirroring the natural way in which skills are developed over time.

This is different from providing permanent support, which may hinder students’ abilities to develop their skills independently. It also contrasts with isolated learning experiences that could prevent students from connecting new knowledge to their existing understanding. Lastly, while some scaffolding may occur independently, effective scaffolding typically involves teacher involvement and guidance to ensure students are supported appropriately throughout their learning.