Scaffolding in education, why is it so important?

Although the term scaffolding may cause us confusion, the truth is that it is carried out in education much more than we think.. In fact, it is extremely useful to promote learning, in addition to the development of skills. However, this is not only intended for young people in early childhood or primary education. Also for secondary school or even university students.

How could we define the concept of scaffolding? If we take into account some studies we can say that “scaffolding refers to the different levels of help offered by the adult to the child in a family situation, in order to facilitate the learner in completing the task that he or she has not been able to solve.” by itself”. However, this definition can be qualified, since, as we have pointed out, scaffolding can also be used for university students.

Vygotsky and scaffolding

The term scaffolding is based on Vygotsky’s constructivist vision of effective student development.. This psychologist introduced a fundamental concept known as the zone of proximal development. This term referred to that zone in which, due to their difficulty, there were those challenges that were capable of testing the skills of the apprentice, a place that leaves aside tasks that are impossible for him – with and without certain guidance. – and another those that are very easy.

Psychological development would be everything that a person can do for themselves. Instead, potential development is what you can achieve when a teacher or trained adult helps you or acts as a guide. In this distance between these two developments would be the term scaffolding. Without this tool an individual can achieve a goal that they could not achieve on their own.. This may be completing work, finishing an exercise, or carrying out a project.

There are no shortcuts in scaffolding. It is not about giving everything to each student, regardless of the educational level they are studying. This tool allows a trained person such as a teacher or parent to provide those resources that the learner needs to complete a challenge, but without assuming the burden of completing the task; This will always correspond to the apprentice.

Keys to scaffolding effectiveness

In order for the scaffolding to be carried out effectively and for it to really become a support in the development of psychological processes, a series of rules must be taken into account. If any of them are not present, it is possible that the scaffolding will not give the expected results.

The student must get involved in the activity: This means that it is essential that you make personal contributions. To do this, the activity must be adapted to their level.The importance of adaptation and challenge: Although the activity must be appropriate for the student’s level, it must also provide a point of challenge to allow them to progress, not stagnate.Learning development structured: Activities or tasks must be organized in a way that provides natural development and progress.Guide intervention: The person who guides the scaffolding must act as a collaborator, guiding the student. This must be done through an interaction where communication is fluid.

The transfer of control

When the scaffolding is carried out in the appropriate way and the student is allowed to reach the development of his potential, what we can call “transfer of control” will emerge. The student trusts in their new skills and abilities, which will allow them to feel more in control. about the situation in front of you. Thus, we will ensure that you always maintain a feeling of responsibility for the task you carry out.

What is achieved is that the student learns active and committed behavior with something as simple as an exercise. However, this which seems somewhat trivial will have its importance in your daily life; Scaffolding helps build much more elaborate knowledge structures, reinforcing the learner with their own achievement.: he has been the protagonist.

Although we have done it on different occasions without giving it a name, scaffolding is a tool that is frequently used to allow adequate development in each student. Unfortunately, there are teachers who do not put it into practice, even though it is a fantastic tool. so that the learner learns to live with frustration, to take responsibility for the part that he can control and to grow skills and knowledge..

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