how to build scaffolding into an online course

by Rocio Hand 7 min read

Strategies for scaffolding in an online course

  • Using discussion forums as a foundation for future work. Align discussion questions and prompts with upcoming paper or...
  • Modeling the kind of participation you want to see. Give students an example of a strong discussion post and a weak...
  • Asking students to engage in self-reflection. Require students to write a...

Full Answer

What scaffolding methods should you use for online courses?

With this in mind, one scaffolding method you can employ is reflection: requiring students to look back at their work and identify what they’re doing well and where they’re struggling. Huang (2017) gives three tips for developing this type of activity for your online course:

How long does it take to complete a scaffolding certification course?

Scaffolding certification training with CM.net is fast, easy and affordable. Although there are no time limits, many of our students complete the online course in about an hour. The exam is “open book” so if a student is unsure of an answer, he or she is free can refer to then training materials during the test.

What is scaffolding and how does it work?

What Is Scaffolding? Simply put, scaffolding is an instructional method that progressively moves students toward greater independence and understanding during the learning process.

How can I scaffold my students’ writing?

Instead of asking students to write a long piece of work during the last module of the course, you could scaffold it by creating steps such as submitting a literature review, completing an outline, writing a rough draft, and so on. Another benefit to this approach is that it allows you to provide students with feedback on their progress.

How do you Scaffold an online course?

Strategies for scaffolding in an online courseUsing discussion forums as a foundation for future work. ... Modeling the kind of participation you want to see. ... Asking students to engage in self-reflection. ... Creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.

What is scaffolding in online education?

Simply put, scaffolding is an instructional method that progressively moves students toward greater independence and understanding during the learning process.

What are the 3 types of scaffolds in education?

The types of scaffolding you use in your classroom will look different based on your goals, lesson and students. Generally, scaffolding supports fall into three categories: Sensory — Use physical and visual elements, manipulatives and visual aids together.

What are some examples of scaffolding in education?

For example, if students are not at the reading level required to understand a text being taught in a course, the teacher might use instructional scaffolding to incrementally improve their reading ability until they can read the required text independently and without assistance.

How do you make scaffolding?

0:347:37How to Craft and Use Scaffolding in Minecraft - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's pretty easy all you need are bamboo down one side and let me just take those.MoreSo it's pretty easy all you need are bamboo down one side and let me just take those.

Which of the following is a good example of scaffolding?

Providing a half-solved example, pre-teach vocabulary, use of visual aids is some example of scaffolding.

What is pedagogical scaffolding?

1. An instructional approach to enhancing the quality of instruction such that language learners' can more readily access and use the target language and be successful with their learning.

What does it mean to scaffold a lesson?

Scaffolding refers to a method where teachers offer a particular kind of support to students as they learn and develop a new concept or skill. In the instructional scaffolding model, a teacher may share new information or demonstrate how to solve a problem.

What is instructional scaffolding method?

Instructional scaffolding is a process through which a teacher adds supports for students in order to enhance learning and aid in the mastery of tasks. The teacher does this by systematically building on students' experiences and knowledge as they are learning new skills.

What are different types of scaffolding?

Types of scaffoldingSingle scaffolding. Single scaffolding stands parallel to a wall of a structure by using vertical supports called standards. ... Double scaffolding. ... Cantilever scaffolding. ... Suspended scaffolding. ... Trestle scaffolding. ... Steel scaffolding. ... Patented scaffolding. ... Wooden and bamboo scaffolding.More items...•

What is scaffolding in education?

Any number of specific pedagogical strategies, large and small, can fall under the umbrella of scaffolding. All function within a larger framework requiring that instructors: (1) understand their students’ current abilities, (2) commit to regularly communicating and interacting with their students (this involves reciprocal feedback), ...

What are some examples of scaffolding?

1. Examples of commonly-used scaffolding strategies: 2. Essential Steps for Building a Course Scaffold. 2.1. #1 Break complex assignments down into their component skills. 2.2. #2 Focus students’ cognitive effort on the specific skills you want them to practice. 2.3.

How to scaffold a course?

Strategies for scaffolding in an online course 1 Using discussion forums as a foundation for future work. Align discussion questions and prompts with upcoming paper or presentation topics. Students can receive feedback on their ideas and build on them as part of a larger project. 2 Modeling the kind of participation you want to see. Give students an example of a strong discussion post and a weak response. Point out what criteria was either met or missed. 3 Asking students to engage in self-reflection. Require students to write a self-reflection on their learning and progress in the course after a midterm. 4 Creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration. Ask students to complete a group writing activity using Wikis or Google Docs.

What is scaffolding in construction?

What is Scaffolding? Scaffolding is an instructional strategy to provide students with a framework that guides and supports their learning (Wood, Bruner, & Ross, 1976). Without reliable scaffolding, construction workers would be vulnerable to a number of safety hazards on site.

Why is scaffolding important?

Scaffolding is a powerful way to teach students to manage their time, take advantage of prior knowledge, and consider the bigger picture.

What is scaffolding influenced by?

The concept of scaffolding is influenced by Lev Vygotsky’s (1978) Zone of Proximal development theory. He conceptualizes three concentric circles that represent 1) things you can currently do, 2) things you can do with assistance from an expert or fellow learner, and 3) things beyond your capability.

How to Scaffold ELearning Content: Effective strategies and tactics to consider

eLearning attracts a diverse set of learners. Individuals from different educational backgrounds, age groups experience and prior knowledge of the subject matter might be partaking in an online course simultaneously. Each will learn at a different pace, understanding the content differently, and interpreting the message on their own terms.

What is Scaffolding?

Not all learners absorb online content equally. The best way for L&D professionals to achieve their teaching objectives is to design and develop courses that meet the needs of a diverse set of participants.

Tactics for implementing scaffolding strategies

So, what practical steps can L&D professionals include as part of a successful eLearning scaffolding strategy? Well, here are some tactics to consider:

Putting eLearning scaffolding to work

The goal of any eLearning scaffolding strategy is to reduce (or eliminate) a cognitive gap among groups of learners.

Sequencing Assignments

Sequencing refers to designing assignments that stimulate student learning by introducing concepts and knowledge and then building on them. Assignments can move from conceptual knowledge to progressively more complex tasks, such as analysis, application, and synthesis.

Scaffolding Evaluations

Scaffolding provides a framework for the evaluation of learning. In this way, instructors can assess students for conceptual knowledge as well as for their ability to analyze, synthesize, and apply information at every stage of a course, alerting them to when additional guidance is needed.

Sequencing and Scaffolding Course Example

The example below reflects an eight-week online course I teach about people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for a social work program. The course uses a variety of articles, films, and videos rather than a textbook. Most weeks I include a PowerPoint presentation with “Food for Thought” slides.

Week 1: Introduction

The focus of this week is on becoming familiar with the online environment and course expectations. Students make an introduction video and talk about their experiences taking an online course; I do the same with an overview of my experiences.

Week 2: Overview of People with IDD

This week’s material includes a film that reviews the history of stigma and discrimination related to IDD as well as stories from affected individuals. Students have assigned reading and also choose an article of their interest.

Week 3: Historical Overview

Students read selections from a book by a man identified with an IDD and watch a video in which I speak about my own 40-plus years of experience in the field. Discussions focus on the reading from the book and ideas on how to empower people with IDD. Students also respond to a “Food for Thought” slide.

Week 4: A Positive Perspective

This week provides a holistic view of the lives of people with IDD. Students read two articles for a discussion about caregivers, one assigned and the other selected by the student.