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11.8: Challenges and benefits of scaffolding

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    87532
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    As with any other learning theory or strategy, there are challenges and benefits to scaffolding. Understanding and comparing both will assist the educational, professional or trainer in their assessment of the usefulness of the strategies and techniques as well as allow for comprehensive planning before implementation. The challenges are real but can be overcome with careful planning and preparation.

    Challenges:

    • Very time consuming
    • Lack of sufficient personnel
    • Potential for misjudging the zone of proximal development; success hinges on identifying the area that is just beyond but not too far beyond the students’ abilities
    • Inadequately modeling the desired behaviors, strategies or activities because the teacher has not fully considered the individual student’s needs, predilections, interests, and abilities (such as not showing a student how to “double click” on an icon when using a computer)
    • Full benefits not seen unless the instructors are properly trained
    • Requires the teacher to give up control as fading occurs
    • Lack of specific examples and tips in teacher’s editions of textbooks

    When assessing the benefits of scaffolding, it is necessary to consider the context in which you wish to implement the strategies and techniques. Additionally, you must know the learners and evaluate their particular needs first.


    Benefits:

    • Possible early identifier of giftedness
    • Provides individualized instruction
    • Greater assurance of the learner acquiring the desired skill, knowledge or ability
    • Provides differentiated instruction
    • Delivers efficiency – Since the work is structured, focused, and glitches have been reduced or eliminated prior to initiation, time on task is increased and efficiency in completing the activity is increased.
    • Creates momentum – Through the structure provided by scaffolding, students spend less time searching and more time on learning and discovering resulting in quicker learning
    • Engages the learner
    • Motivates the learner to learn
    • Minimizes the level of frustration for the learner

    11.8: Challenges and benefits of scaffolding is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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