What teaching method involves providing structured support to help students understand material?

Scaffolded instruction is a teaching method that involves providing structured support to help students grasp new concepts and skills. This approach recognizes that learners often need varying degrees of assistance as they acquire new knowledge. The scaffolding can take many forms, such as modeling, guided practice, and feedback, and it is progressively withdrawn as students gain confidence and independence in their abilities.

The ultimate goal of scaffolded instruction is to empower students to become self-sufficient learners, allowing them to apply their skills independently in the future. By tailoring support to each student's needs, educators can facilitate deeper understanding and ensure that all students are capable of achieving the learning objectives. This method emphasizes the importance of temporarily providing help while encouraging students to take ownership of their learning process, ultimately leading to greater academic success.