Description
The courses, How Scaffolding Works: Parts 1 and 2, are about the scaffolding of learning in our schools and classrooms. As educators, we are building self-regulated learners who take ownership of their learning. We offer strategies, intervention, and different approaches. Scaffolding tasks in our classroom is essential in the successful completion of the tasks we want our students to achieve. These courses will explore different examples from primary, elementary, middle school, and high school content, skills, practices, dispositions, and understandings.
This first course, How Scaffolding Works: Part 1, explains the foundations of scaffolding and how the success of scaffolding depends on the intensity, frequency, and duration of the scaffolds. It further explores the research behind scaffolding and how the idea of scaffolding originated. The course also explains a model for how scaffolding works, the role of mental models in scaffolding student learning, and the power of goal setting with deliberate practice. This course is designed for K-12 educators who want to learn clear and focused strategies and processes to help all students reach their highest academic potential.
Course Outline
Week 1: Student Orientation
Week 2: The Foundations of Scaffolding
Week 3: The Origins of Scaffolding
Week 4: A Model for How Scaffolding Works
Week 5: Mental Models
Week 6: Goal Setting
Week 7: Goal Setting
Prerequisites
This is an intermediate level course for teachers, literacy coaches, curriculum specialists, professional development specialists, or other school personnel. Participants are expected to have regular access to computers with Internet access. In addition, participants should be proficient with browsing the Internet, uploading and downloading content, navigating to computer files, and with using word processing software, email, and attachments.
Required Materials
This course (and Part 2) requires the textbook How Scaffolding Works: A Playbook for Supporting and Releasing Responsibility to Students, First Edition. It can be ordered from Amazon as a digital edition or in spiral-bound for less than $40. All materials in this course are the property of the South Carolina Department of Education Office of VirtualSC PD. All course materials needed/required for the course, other than the book mentioned above, are available online.