On 7/8/07, kirby urner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > So I've learned a new term from ya'll: scaffolding. Of course I knew it > from the namespace of construction, but here it means a framework > or prewritten code or auxiliary aids such as diagrams. Anyone want to > elaborate? > > I see links between "scaffolding" and the concept of "immersion", already > well established in the language learning community -- human languages > that is.
I think of "scaffolding" as the difference between "exploration" and "guided exploration." To flesh out the architectural analogy, it is as if the teacher builds a scaffold around empty space & provides an array of tools and materials. It is clear that the objective is to build within the space provided, and more or less direct instruction may be given on the tools provided, but within this context the students have freedom to create and explore. But in particular, an emphasis is made on making sure kids have access to the intermediate skills necessary to complete the task. How much scaffolding to do is a central issue in constructivist education. I've read studies that indicates there was a huge difference between the amount of scaffolding done in a classroom by Papert (a lot! but mostly informal), how he described the process (downplaying his role), and what happened when people tried to replicate his process without the scaffolding he provided (didn't work well). --Tom _______________________________________________ Edu-sig mailing list [email protected] http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig
