Scaffolding Learning
and Improving
Accessibility
What is scaffolding?
• A temporary structure providing assistance
at specific points in the learning process
• Allows learners to complete tasks that
they would not be able to accomplish
without assistance
• Learning is transforiming information from
various resources into new knowledge
products
Why provide scaffolding?
• To help learners make progress and
avoid getting left behind
• To direct students to good resources
and help them form insights
(McKenzie, 1998)
How do we scaffold learning?
• By providing guides, outlines and
templates
• By using visual/graphic and other
guides for thinking
Receptions of Scaffolding
• Helps learner gather informations
from sources.
• Directs learner’s attention to what is
important, and help them organize
and record what they perceive
• Example: interview process guide,
reading guide, dictionaries and
glossaries, observation guide in
brainstorming and note-taking guide.
How does Scaffolding makes
learning accessible?
Just like learning to ride a bike,
learning new things in school can be
easier with some support. Scaffolding
is like having someone hold the bike
at first. Teachers provide temporary
help, breaking down lessons into
smaller parts or giving examples. As
students get better, the "hand on
the seat" support is reduced until
they can confidently "ride" on their
Brainstorming (Definition)
• Brainstorming is a process for
generating new ideas.
• Brainstorming is "a conference
technique by which a group attempts to
find a solution for a specific problem by
amassing all the ideas spontaneously by
itsmembers" - Alex Osborn
The concept of brainstorming was first
introduced by advertising executive Alex F.
Osborn in the 1940s. He outlined several
principles to make brainstorming effective,
such as focusing on quantity over quality of
ideas, withholding criticism, welcoming
unusual ideas, and combining and improving
ideas
How does brainstorming works?
Brainstorming can be done individually or in
groups, but it is often more effective in a
group setting where participants can inspire
and build on each other's ideas. Techniques
like mind mapping, brainwriting, and the use
of prompts can help facilitate the proces
Conducting a brainstorming session in a classroom can
be a great way to encourage creative thinking and
collaboration among students.
1.Prepare the Environment: Arrange the classroom to facilitate open communication. Ensure that
students are seated in a way that allows them to see and hear each other easily.
2.Define the Topic: Clearly state the topic or problem that needs brainstorming. Make sure all
students understand the objective of the session.
3. Set Ground Rules: Establish rules such as no criticism of ideas, encourage wild ideas, and build on
others' ideas. This helps create a safe and open environment for sharing.
4. Warm-Up Activity: Start with a quick, fun activity to get students thinking creatively. This could be
a word association game or a simple problem-solving task.
5. Brainstorming Session: Allow students to freely share their ideas. Use techniques like mind
mapping or brainwriting to capture all ideas. Encourage participation from all students.
6. Categorize and Evaluate Ideas: After the brainstorming session, group similar ideas together and
discuss their feasibility. This helps in narrowing down the best ideas.
7. Action Plan: Decide on the next steps based on the selected ideas. Assign tasks and
responsibilities to students to implement the ideas.
How can brainstorming serve as a form
of scaffolding?
Brainstorming serves as a form of scaffolding in
education by providing structured support that helps
students develop their ideas and problem-solving skills.
During a brainstorming session, the teacher guides
students through the process of generating and
organizing ideas, encouraging participation and
collaboration. This approach helps students make
connections between concepts, build confidence, and
develop critical thinking skills in a supportive
environment. As students become more proficient, the
teacher gradually reduces the level of support, allowing
them to work more independently.
Creating Glossaries (Definition)
Creating a glossary involves
compiling a list of terms and their
definitions, typically within a specific
field or domain. This can be particularly
useful in documents that contain
specialized terminology, helping readers
understand the content more easily
Creating a glossary involves several steps to
ensure it is comprehensive and useful for the
intended audience. General process below:
1.Identify Terms: Review your main text and highlight terms that
may be unfamiliar to your readers. These could be technical terms,
jargon, or any specialized vocabulary.
2.Define Terms: Write clear and concise definitions for each term.
Ensure the definitions are understandable to your target audience.
3.Organize the Glossary: Arrange the terms alphabetically. This
makes it easier for readers to find specific terms.
4.Format the Glossary: Ensure the glossary is formatted
consistently. This includes using the same font, size, and style for all
entries.
5.Review and Update: Regularly review and update the glossary to
include new terms and refine existing definitions.
How do glossaries provide scaffolding
support in learning environments?
Glossaries serve as a form of scaffolding by
providing clear definitions for specialized or
complex terms, which supports learners'
understanding and helps build their
knowledge base. They act as a reference
tool that learners can consult independently,
fostering self-directed learning and
enhancing reading comprehension.
Referrences:
Atlassian. (n.d.). Brainstorming: Definition, ground rules, and techniques. Retrieved February 19,
2025, from https://www.atlassian.com/work-management/project-collaboration/brainstorming
Mural. (n.d.). How to facilitate a brainstorming session. Retrieved February 19, 2025,
from https://www.mural.co/blog/run-a-brainstorming-session
Edutopia. (2025, February 4). Powerful scaffolding strategies to support learning. Retrieved February
19, 2025, from https://www.edutopia.org/article/powerful-scaffolding-strategies-support-learning
Print-based glossary: Phenomenology. (2004). In Merriam-Webster's dictionary (11th ed.). Springfield,
MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Online glossary: Enigma. (2013). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from
If you need more specific guidance on creating glossaries or APA citations,
