Scaffolding

Scaffolding, a theory first developed by Jerome Bruner, is providing the support needed to help students achieve proficiency and independence in performing a targeted learning skill or strategy. At the onset of learning, teachers scaffold students through modeling. To provide further support, teachers create opportunities for guided practice. As teachers feel confident that students have the information required to perform targeted skills and strategies successfully and independently, responsibility for learning is gradually relinquished to the student.