Scaffold Types

If we want our learners to learn to think we have to model that thinking for them. In the process of using models and templates that we provide them, the learners will learn to think in a similar way. It is therefore important to provide learners with this kind of support, and not assume that they will acquire these thinking skills on their own.

Bernie Dodge refers to three kinds of support:

Reception scaffold

• how we can help learners to identify what is important, and to help them organize and record the way that they see things. These are skills in acquiring information, e.g.:
  • to help them gather information with focus and good technique:
    • observation templates
    • interview guidelines
    • note taking guide
  • to help them understand the order of events or relationships between things.
    • timelines
    • organisation charts
    • mind maps

Transformation scaffold

• how we can help learners to think as the process the information. These are higher order thinking skills, e.g.:
  • to display similarities and differences
    • Venn diagram , features chart , Comparison chart
  • to help them reach decisions based on the information at their disposal.
    • PMI chart , weighted sum chart

Production scaffold

• how we can help learners to plan and produce their thoughts on what they have learnt, e.g.
  • to provide the planning and structure for the learner's presentation or work.
    • storyboards , writing templates