Scaffolding as a Teaching Strategy Rachel R. Van Der Stuyf Adolescent Learning and Development Section 0500A - Fall 2002 November 17, 2002 I. Scaffolding as a Teaching Strategy – Definition and Description Scaffolding instruction as a teaching strategy originates from Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and his concept of the zone of proximal development (ZPD). “The zone of proximal development is the distance between what children can do by themselves and the next learning that they can be helped to achieve with competent assistance” (Raymond, 2000, p.176). The scaffolding teaching strategy provides individualized support based on the learner’s ZPD (Chang, Sung, & Chen, 2002). In scaffolding instruction a more knowledgeable other provides scaffolds or supports to facilitate the learner’s development. The scaffolds facilitate a student’s ability to build on prior knowledge and internalize new information.
In indirect instruction, the role of the teacher shifts from lecturer/director to that of facilitator, supporter, and resource person. The teacher arranges the learning environment, provides opportunity for student involvement, and, when appropriate, provides feedback to students while they conduct the inquiry (Martin, 1983). Indirect means that the learner acquires a behaviour indirectly by transforming, or constructing, the stimulus material into meaningful response or behaviour that differs from both (1) the content being used to present the learning and (2) any previous response given by the student -best to use when teaching concepts, abstractions, or patterns -best to use when the learning process is inquiry-based, the result is discovery, and the learning context is a problem. -Student-centred (student is an interactive participant)-teacher is facilitator. -uses all parts of Bloom’s taxonomy including Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation -indirect instruction involves: organizing content, inductive and deductive reasoning, examples and non-examples, student experiences, questions, student’s self-evaluation, and group discussion.
Clues at when constructive feedback is needed can be when a learner asks for your opinion on how they are doing, this can be a 'cry for help' from a learner. When there are persistent unresolved issues with a learners progress and work, this can be an indication that they require constructive feedback. Taking a leaners feelings into account can be necessary as providing feedback which the learner feels is criticism. This can prevent that person from learning effectively from there on in and may not feel comfortable approaching you when they have future issues or problems. It is the ability of the teacher to distinguish between the different skills of the learner e.g.
Spending time going through the learning activities and seeing how children have responded to a certain task or question, can really help change it for future activities. It is also important to look back at the learning objects so you can measure what the children have learned. It is important to have clear objectives at the planning stage, in order to evaluate whether pupils have achieved them after the lesson. If children have rushed through the activity and then looked bored then it would be obvious that the task was a bit too easy and not really suitable or beneficial for that group. Therefore you would need to try and make it more engaging and stimulating, perhaps by making it more difficult or time-consuming so the students really have to work to complete it.
An active learner is one who understands new information by doing something with it, and they strive to take a greater responsibility for their own learning, and they take advantage of extra credit opportunities. This fits my learning style very much so. When I am learning something I take what I learn and apply to my homework in that specific subject or use it in other subjects. Also I take responsibility for my own learning by going to get help on what I do not understand, and I always jump at the extra credit when it is available. An intuitive learner is one who prefers to take information in an abstract form such as ideas, images or ideas.
The stability in the classroom is necessary to meet basic needs of students. I believe firmly that if basic human needs are not met then there is no hope for curricular learning to take place. The student needs to be comfortable to learn. To correct a behavior that is already in progress prevention can also be a method of attack. The key is to discover the antecedent and change it, remove it, or take action to create a new one.
'Questioning enables teachers to check learners' understanding. It also benefits learners as it encourages enitgagement and focuses their thinking on key concepts and ideas.' (Kyriacou 1995 in Desforges 1995, pg. 126) I am of the opinion that the idea children should work in mixed ability groups is not always a viable option. I feel it is important to take into account the personalities of the children, as learning may be inhibited if one child is particularly domineering or intimidating.
In truth, there are three types of teachers: Informative, nonchalant and friendly. There are specific teachers for each students and it is the student's job to figure out which type of teacher is compatible with their way of learning. First off, an informative teacher is the type of teacher that gives students the most information and can be more intuitive as far as teaching. These types of teachers are, basically, for students who desire someone who is straight-forward and bestows facts as well as valuable details needed in order to pass the class. For example, if a student is in this specific teacher's class, he or she will be bombarded with material the teacher presents.
Normally, (for numeracy and literacy) I support the higher ability group for Numeracy due to the 1-2-1 pupil I support, and the middle group in Literacy whilst keeping an eye on the other rest of group (just in case, but they are normally competent to work independently). When working with a table or a group, there will normally be pupils who are at different levels. That is why it is so important to be able to modify and adapt activities to enhance learning experiences. One important contribution whilst the learning activity is delivered is to ensure that learners understand the learning tasks and to reinforce the teaching points from the input. Being aware of the needs of pupils and the level of support they require, whether learning or personality needs.
Vygotsky defined the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) as the distance between the most difficult task a child can do alone and the most difficult task a child can do with help. He believed that a child on the edge of learning a new concept can benefit from the interaction with a teacher or a classmate. Vygotsky referred to the assistance a teacher or peer offers a child as scaffolding {(to use language and social interaction to guide children’s thinking.) For example, when scaffolding, adults offer direct solutions to problems, indirectly guide them with hints or questions, or allow them to think completely independently, depending on what they need to learn.} In the same way, adults and peers can help a child “reach” a new concept or skill by giving