What does the term "scaffolding" refer to in the context of teaching?

The term "scaffolding" in the context of teaching refers to offering temporary assistance to students as they learn new skills or concepts. This instructional strategy involves breaking down learning into manageable parts and providing support that is tailored to the student's current level of understanding. As students gain competence and confidence, the teacher gradually reduces this support, fostering independence in learning.

By offering help that is responsive to the student's needs, scaffolding helps learners to build upon their existing knowledge and skills. It emphasizes the importance of guidance in the early stages of the learning process while encouraging students to take on more responsibility for their learning as they progress. This technique effectively bridges the gap between what learners can do independently and what they can achieve with support, ultimately empowering them to master new concepts.