Three Types of Scaffolding

There is a large body of research into the method of promoting instruction by using scaffolds. Els can interact with grade-level goals and content by using a selection and variety of instructional support resources. In order to enable ELs to communicate their understanding and show their abilities, instructional support may also be integrated into evaluations. The research identifies the need to include different types of scaffolding to support evaluation instruction and results. It is difficult enough to learn new content that is often abstract, learning it in an unfamiliar language introduces a degree of complexity that is not encountered by native speakers. Scaffolding offers greater access to content for ELs and makes it easier to illustrate their learning. Scaffolding can be integrated into three classes during the lesson cycle or through an evaluation task: sensory, graphic, or interactive.

Sensory 

Sensory scaffolds allow ELs to use their senses to understand abstract concepts or learn new ideas. For most students, using visuals and manipulatives are successful types of sensory scaffolding because images and movements contain meaning without a reliance on language. In addition, it is the most productive form of scaffolding in general for entering ELs, since there are less language barriers to comprehension. For example, the tactile nature of conducting a science lab invites ELs to manipulate objects in order to create the significance of abstract concepts. Besides tactile scaffolds, as another useful type of instructional aids, educators may use visuals. Humans are visual learners because we can take in a vast amount of knowledge at once through our eyes and use it to create meaning. Visual aids help students grasp abstract ideas better than written texts do, much like tactile scaffolds.

Interactive

 

They're also social learners, just as human beings are visual learners. This is why educators should incorporate social interaction into the lesson design, in addition to sensory and tactile help. Social scaffolding is an outstanding chance for ELs to use language for practical purposes. To discuss ideas, give insights, and form opinions, ELs have to use language and material. They synthesize knowledge of material in the process and internalize language. Interactive scaffolds are basically a method of collaborative learning and are best used for ELs who like to socialize. The jigsaw is another great interactive scaffold because it helps students internalize one aspect of the new content, learn to listen carefully when their aspect is discussed by peers, and work together to piece all the stuff they have learned to build fresh understanding. 

 

Graphic 

Graphic support scaffolding implies teaching by maps, graphs, and graphic organizers that turn numbers and data into visual representations. When teachers want to convey highly abstract concepts or illustrate the relationships between objects in a phenomenon, graphic scaffolds are especially useful. Since graphic aids are visual texts, they should be viewed as texts. In illustrating charts, graphs, tables, and timelines, it is important that teachers show near reading skills since it typically takes several readings for a student to fully understand the ideas of the graph.