Scaffolding

2 Pages 412 Words

Scaffolding


The film “Scaffolding: Self-Regulated Learning in the Primary Grades”, we learn of Lev Vygotsky and his beliefs about education. Vygotsky felt that techniques such as scaffolding and self-regulated learning were the most beneficial to the education of children. He also recognized that both parties, students and teachers, are responsible for learning.
Jerome Bruner introduced scaffolding in 1970. It is a teaching strategy with methods to move a child from an assisted level of learning to and independent level of learning. Teachers can provide scaffolding in three ways through the use of mediators, language, and shared activity.
Mediators are tools to facilitate a complex behavior or cue a mental process. They must be meaningful, positive, and standout. A learning plan can be one example of a mediator.
Vygotsky felt that the most powerful human invention was language. Language can come in various forms. We communicate through public, private, inner, verbal, thought, and written speech. Without it, the learning process would be much more complex.
Shared activity is another way in which teachers can provide a scaffolding system for their students. This can be done on a teacher-student level, or a peer-peer level. Shared activity helps students to feel more confident in what they are doing.
The film also discussed self-regulated learning. Self-regulated learning is independent learning. Children always learn at their own pace. This can be shown through the use of learning plans.
Children can create menus for learning accomplishments. The must evaluate and identify the learning strategy used. They also must use past plans to set goals about future learning.
I feel that the scaffolding method is the best teaching strategy. It’s similar to learning how to ride a bike. You start off with a set of training wheels. Once you feel comfortable riding, the wheels are removed and you are on your ...