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to scaffold

to scaffold

1 4.4
To give someone help and structure so they can learn by themselves
  • verb
  • /ˈskæf.əld/
  • Jargon
translation icon : andamiar
  • In order to help her students better understand the material, the teacher decided to scaffold the learning process by breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps.
  • scaffold students
  • scaffold learning
  • teachers scaffold

Examples

  • The teacher may choose to pose additional questions to scaffold student understanding based on the assessment data collected.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Reading aloud children's literature allows for opportunities to model and scaffold the development of young readers' reading abilities.

    Academic text (2014)

  • We also realized we did not scaffold the creation of research questions well enough prior to the unit.

    Academic text (2015)

  • More research is essential to understand when, how, and why to scaffold online collaborative learning about complex topics.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Teachers have the ability to scaffold this transition; cooperative teacher.

    Academic text (2014)

  • At the same time, however, the students remained unable to read the word automatically despite frequent scaffolded practice.

    Academic text (2014)

  • The assignment is scaffolded with a prompt to consider specific learning outcomes.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Handheld technology may serve to scaffold students' learning as they engage in the primary focus of each instructional approach.

    Academic text (2015)

  • The apprenticeship phase implies the need to examine how teachers scaffold novice skills.

    Academic text (2015)

  • A first-grade theatre lesson focused on nursery rhymes, highlighting how a teacher might scaffold language learning and comprehension.

    Academic text (2013)

Synonyms

to bolster
vsto scaffold
84 4.3

To give extra support to a person, plan, or idea

gives planned stepwise help aimed at learning progress rather than general strengthening
to tutor
vsto scaffold
32 2.4

To teach one student or a small group privately to help them improve

provides supportive structure and timely hints rather than direct instruction
to help along
vsto scaffold
21 2.9

Make someone or something move forward faster

gives planned guidance and structure specifically for learning

Antonyms

to hinder
75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

How Supportive

to scaffold
  • Jargon
1 4.4
to guide
313 1.0
to demonstrate
211 3.1
to prompt
217 3.6
hint
229 1.5

Surface Forms

scaffold infinitive
scaffolded past
scaffolded past participle
scaffolding present participle
scaffolds third person singular

Etymology

To scaffold someone's learning is a modern use of the same idea: giving a learner temporary 'support' or clear steps so they can reach the goal and then work on their own.