scaffolding
SKAF-uhl-ding
/ˈskæfəldɪŋ/
Temporary instructional support provided to students to help them master complex concepts until they can work independently.
Must be temporary; support is gradually removed ('faded') as competence increases.
The story behind the word. Originally an architectural term for temporary wooden frames built to support workers repairing a building. Educational psychologist Jerome Bruner borrowed the term in 1976 to describe how adult assistance holds up a child's learning process until internal knowledge structures are solid.
Word relationships
- support structure: Support structure is general, whereas scaffolding specifically implies temporary assistance that is phased out.
- guidance: Guidance is advice; scaffolding refers to structured, temporary tasks or tools.
Commonly confused with
- differentiation: Differentiation tailors content to different abilities, while scaffolding breaks down a single task so anyone can reach mastery.
Word family
- scaffold (verb): To provide temporary structured support during learning.
Collocations
- instructional scaffolding
- provide scaffolding
- remove scaffolding
- scaffolding strategy
Example sentences
- "Scaffolding consists essentially of the adult controlling those elements of the task that are initially beyond the learner's capacity." Educational Theory
- "The teacher used graphic organizers as scaffolding before asking students to write their essay." Classroom Instruction
Memory hook
Think of construction scaffolds built around a new building—they hold it up until the concrete cures, then disappear. Temporary structure for growth.
When not to use
Do not use for permanent accommodation or continuous assistance that is never removed.
Fun facts
- Though inspired by Lev Vygotsky's 'Zone of Proximal Development', Vygotsky himself never used the word 'scaffolding'.
Related words
Explore more words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.