Scaffolding...when I hear this word, I think of the small tress that were planted in my front yard. Around them, the gardeners placed metal tree stakes as supports. Scaffolds in teaching are like the stakes around the tree.
Interestingly enough, it is suggested that the sooner the stakes are removed, the sooner the plant can develop a strong trunk and root system. And staking a tree that does not need it can do more harm than good. So in essence, though stakes in general seem like a good thing, if implemented incorrectly, they can harm the tree.
I think as educators, we can learn something from this.
1. not all our students will need scaffolds all the time
2. some will need different levels of support
3. remember to release the scaffolds
Jerome Bruner introduced the term scaffolding in 1983. Scaffolding is the assistance provided by a teacher.
Here are the 3 types of scaffolds:
Remember the tree. Not everyone needs a scaffold. Scaffolds vary depending on students' needs. And take the scaffold way as soon as possible. Keeping it too long causes more harm than good.
Echevarría, J., Vogt, M., & Short, D. (2008). Making content comprehensible for English learners: the SIOP® model. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
Seidlitz, J., Base, M., Lara, M., Rodríguez, M., & Hartill, M. (2014). ELLs in Texas: what administrators need to know. San Clemente, CA: Seidlitz Education.