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Scaffolding

Temporary support, such as prompts, models, sentence starters or worked examples, that helps a learner complete a task they could not yet do alone and is gradually removed.

Used in
All four UK nations (details may differ), United States, International
Topic
Teaching and learning

Being checked against official sources. This definition is written in our own words; always check the official guidance for your country.

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Zone of proximal development (ZPD) All four UK nations (details may differ) United States International
Vygotsky's idea of the gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can do with help, where teaching is most effective.
Worked example All four UK nations (details may differ) United States
A step-by-step demonstration of how to solve a problem, used to reduce cognitive load for novices.
Gradual release of responsibility (GRR) United States All four UK nations (details may differ)
An instructional model in which responsibility for a task shifts from the teacher to the learner over time.

More terms: Teaching and learning

Response to intervention · Retrieval practice · Rosenshine's principles · Scheme of work · Science of reading · Scope and sequence

More terms starting with S · Education glossary A–Z · Get a TIP for your class

Definitions are written by Classfern in our own words for teachers in the UK and the US. They are short explanations, not legal or official definitions: always check the official guidance for your country, nation or state. Classfern is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government department, inspectorate or exam board named here.