Glossary definition

A type of formative assessment, usually occurring in the middle of a course, aimed at supporting learners to move from what they already know to what they are able to do next.
Scaffolding is targeted at bridging a student’s ‘zone of proximal development’ – the space between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem solving, and the level of potential development that can be achieved by guidance and/or collaboration with those with established knowledge and expertise.
Scaffolding is a collaborative process involving negotiation of meaning between teacher and learner about expectations and how best to improve performance by using insights about a learner’s current understanding to alter the course of instruction and thus support the development of greater competence.