Scaffolding in the Classroom: A Key Teaching Strategy

What is the purpose of scaffolding in the classroom?

How does scaffolding relate to the zone of proximal development?

Answer:

Scaffolding in the classroom is a teaching strategy designed to help students develop higher learning skills. It is closely related to the Zone of Proximal Development, a concept that describes the potential learning ability of a student with guidance.

The goal of scaffolding in the classroom is to assist students in reaching a higher level of comprehension and skill in the learning process. This is typically accomplished by providing supports, like the student-facing toolkit mentioned, where students receive practice and instruction. These supports might include frameworks for writing or solving problems, guided questions, and examples to follow.

Scaffolding is closely related to the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), a concept by psychologist Lev Vygotsky. The ZPD refers to the difference between what a learner can do without help and what he or she can do with help. Through scaffolding, educators can provide guidance to encourage students to reach the upper limit of their ZPD, thus facilitating their journey toward independent learning.

According to Niemiec and Ryan's Self-Determination Theory, scaffolding can also foster an environment of Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness in the classroom. With structured yet flexible support provided by scaffolding, learners can progressively gain mastery and autonomy, further contributing to their sense of competence and their level of engagement with the learning material.