OSUN Open Educational Resources
Document Type
Teaching Tool
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
This guide addresses the challenge of engaging students in their learning by focusing on creating learning activities that build foundational knowledge and skills. It emphasizes the importance of scaffolding, where activities are broken down into manageable "chunks" to support student development. The guide draws on pedagogical theories such as Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development and the concept of scaffolding introduced by Wood, Bruner, and Ross, as well as later contributions from Boice and Kellogg on scaffolding writing and thinking skills. The author reflects on personal teaching experiences, noting that student engagement is not solely about ability but also about fostering confidence in learning. Part I explores the theoretical foundations of scaffolding, while Part II offers practical tools and activities, primarily focused on reading and writing tasks. These activities are designed to enhance students' critical reading, analysis, writing, and peer feedback skills, and the author shares examples of how these activities can be adapted to suit different cohorts. Evidence from student engagement and anonymous surveys suggests that these scaffolded activities positively impact learning and students' perceptions of their educational experience.
Recommended Citation
Mineshima-Lowe, Dale, "Scaffolding activities and formative assignments for building confidence and success in students" (2024). OSUN Open Educational Resources. 29.
https://digitalcommons.bard.edu/osun_oer/29
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
