Just-Enough Scaffolding
Just-Just Scaffolding is an instructional technique that offers the required amount of support to the learners to carry out their tasks without making things difficult. It mainly points out the need to give the precise amount of help so as to enhance the independence and critical thinking, which will, in turn, lead to the development of the skills and understanding.
Just-Enough Scaffolding's main objective is to facilitate the students' path to becoming independent problem solvers through the initial provision of specific support that is later on removed step by step as their confidence and competence grow. As an illustration, a math instructor could start with the demo of a certain technique of solving a problem, afterward lead the students through some similar problems, and eventually ask the students to solve the problems more or less on their own.
Just-Enough Scaffolding can be implemented by assessing students' prior knowledges and identifying their specific needs first of all. Teachers may design activities that contain these elements that consist of step-by-step guidance, prompts, or tools which progressively drop as students show understanding. For example, in a writing assignment, the teacher might initially provide a structured outline, and then, instead of that, ask questions that are on guiding that help students create their own ideas.
The advantages of Just-Enough Scaffolding are the autonomy of the learner, active engagement, and the development of critical thinking skills. If the students are given the opportunity to do the work, they will remember and use the knowledge in different situations appropriately. For example, when students carry out a project with slight backing, they formulate the skills to solve challenges that are crucial for their future.
Yes, online learning environments can efficiently use the Just-Enough Scaffolding technique with the help of interactive tutorials, discussion forums, and adaptive learning platforms. A case in point is that a distance learning program could add quizzes that give students hints or feedback depending on their answers. This way, they would be able to study the material on their own but, at the same time, get all the required support.