What is the Difference Between Scaffolding and Differentiation

The main difference between scaffolding and differentiation is that scaffolding involves breaking up learning into parts so that students can gradually tackle more complex materials, while differentiation refers to tailoring instruction to meet the needs of individual students.

Scaffolding and differentiation are two teaching methods that have a similar goal: bridging learning gaps or moving student learning and understanding from where it is to where it needs to be.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Scaffolding 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Differentiation
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Scaffolding and Differentiation
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Differentiation, Scaffolding

What is Scaffolding

In teaching, scaffolding is an instructional method that aims to move students progressively towards a better and stronger understanding and, consequently, greater independence in the learning process. The term scaffolding actually stands for scaffolds in construction; just like physical scaffolding, teachers provide temporary support for students to reach higher levels of understanding and skill acquisition. Once they reach a certain level, they can continue their learning process on their own.

Scaffolding mainly involves breaking up learning into parts so that students can gradually tackle more complex materials. Therefore, in scaffold instruction, teachers usually break up concepts, learning experiences, or skills into smaller chunks and help students to learn each part. Giving vocabulary lesson before reading a difficult text and describing a concept, problem, or process in multiple ways to ensure understanding (orally explaining, using visual graphics, give them reading and writing tasks, etc.) are some examples of this teaching method.

There are many benefits to scaffolding in classrooms. They help to reduce negative emotions like frustrations and intimidation students face when faced with a difficult task without support or direction.  It can also help problem-solving skills in students and create higher engagement in students. Scaffolding is particularly effective when introducing completely new topics in classrooms.

What is Differentiation 

In classrooms, differentiation refers to tailoring instruction to meet the needs of individual students. This involves efforts of teachers to respond to various learning needs and levels of students in the classroom. In brief, it is characterized by efforts to change the activities students use to learn about a topic. This may also involve providing different materials to students with different learning styles and levels. For example, some students may respond well to highly visual materials while others may respond to oral instructions.

Teachers can differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment in order to create the best learning experience possible for every student in the classroom.

Content – What the student has to learn or how the student will get access to the information (reading materials at various readability levels, spelling or vocabulary lists, reading buddies, teaching through both visual and auditory means).

Process – These are the activities the student engages in order to make sense of the content.

Products – These involve culminating projects that require the student to practice, apply, and expand what he has learned (allowing students to work alone or in a small group on their products, encouraging them to create their product assignments, using rubrics that match and broaden students’ varied skills levels)

Learning environment – This involves the way the classroom works and feels (use flexible seating, play music, etc.).

Difference Between Scaffolding and Differentiation

Definition

Scaffolding is an instructional method that uses temporary support to help students reach a higher level of comprehension and mastery, while differentiation is an instructional method that involves tailoring instruction to meet the needs of individual students.

Nature

In differentiation, teachers can modify content, process, products, or the learning environment in order to create the best learning experience, while scaffolding mainly involves breaking up learning into parts so that students can gradually tackle more complex materials.

Conclusion

Scaffolding and differentiation are two teaching methods that have a similar goal: bridging learning gaps. The main difference between scaffolding and differentiation is that scaffolding involves breaking up learning into parts so that students can gradually tackle more complex materials, while differentiation refers to tailoring instruction to meet the needs of individual students.

Reference:

1. Loveless, Becton. “Scaffolding in Education.” Education Corner, Available here.
2. Tomlinson, Carol Ann. “What Is Differentiated Instruction?” Reading Rockets, 25 Sept. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “3765909” (CC0) via Pixabay