What does the term "scaffolding" mean in teaching?

The term "scaffolding" in teaching refers to the practice of providing temporary support that is tailored to the needs of students as they learn new concepts or skills. This approach recognizes that learners often require assistance to bridge the gap between their current capabilities and the complex tasks they are being asked to perform.

Scaffolding can involve a variety of instructional strategies, including modeling a task, providing hints or cues, breaking down tasks into manageable parts, and gradually increasing the difficulty of tasks as students begin to master the material. The key aspect of scaffolding is that it is meant to be temporary; as learners gain confidence and competence in their skills, this support is systematically reduced, allowing them to handle the tasks independently.

This method stands in contrast to providing constant support without limits, which might inhibit student growth and self-efficacy. Additionally, uniformly giving all students the same materials doesn’t account for individual learning needs, and removing all support at once could overwhelm students, leading to frustration and disengagement. Thus, the concept of scaffolding is about striking a balance—offering necessary support when needed and gradually withdrawing it as students develop their skills.