Scaffolding: Instructional Techniques vs Learning Strategies
As an educator with over 25 years of teaching experience, I understand the challenges that educators, both seasoned and new, face when it comes to helping students grasp complex concepts and access grade-level standards. In this blog post, we'll explore the powerful strategies of Thinking Maps and The Essential 5 of Kagan's Cooperative Learning Structures and how they serve as invaluable scaffolds for students and teachers alike.
Let's start by clarifying the distinction between instructional techniques and learning strategies. This understanding is fundamental when addressing how learning strategies, like Thinking Maps and Kagan Cooperative Strategies, empower students to become autonomous learners.
Instructional Techniques vs. Learning Strategies: Building a Foundation
Instructional techniques are the methods educators use to convey knowledge, organize lessons, and facilitate learning in the classroom. These techniques lay the groundwork for successful teaching, but they are essentially teacher-centered.
Learning strategies, on the other hand, shift the focus from the teacher to the student. They are the tools that students employ to process, internalize, and apply information effectively. Learning strategies serve as a scaffold, empowering students to become autonomous thinkers and learners. These strategies promote metacognition enabling students to:
think about their thinking
choose the most appropriate approach to a given task
reflect on their learning process
Thinking Maps: Unlocking Cognitive Understanding
Thinking Maps are exceptional examples of learning strategies. These visual organizers offer a structured framework for students to organize and represent their thoughts, making complex concepts more accessible. They serve as cognitive scaffolds, easing the cognitive load and freeing up mental resources for a deeper understanding of content. Whether it's categorizing information using a Circle Map, identifying cause and effect with a Brace Map, or comparing and contrasting using a Double Bubble Map, Thinking Maps provide students with the tools they need to process and internalize information that is heard or read. As students gain familiarity with these tools, they develop the autonomy to choose the most suitable map for any given task, reinforcing their role as independent learners.
The Essential 5: Fostering Learning and Social-Emotional Skills
The Essential 5 of Kagan's Cooperative Learning Structures strategies are another set of powerful learning tools that serve as scaffolds for students. These strategies distribute the cognitive load, promote cooperative learning, and help students process information while developing essential social-emotional skills. Strategies like Rally Robin, Timed Pair Share, Round Robin, Rally Coach, Stand Up, and Hand Up Pair Up create a collaborative learning environment. Students actively engage with peers, share ideas, and work together to reinforce their understanding of content. In this process, they develop communication skills, empathy, and cooperation, all of which are vital for becoming autonomous learners in a world that values teamwork and problem-solving.
Empowering Adult Learners with Professional Learning
Thinking Maps and The Essential 5 strategies are valuable for students and essential for new teachers, particularly those who may not be certified educators. These strategies provide clear structures and processes for teaching and learning, which is especially crucial when navigating the complexities of grade-level standards and school district curricula. For new teachers, these scaffolds offer a lifeline in their journey to becoming effective educators. They streamline the teaching process and support instructional strategies, ensuring that teachers can provide students with the best possible learning experience.
Finally, let's not forget that the zone of proximal development (ZPD), a concept crucial for children, is just as vital for adult learners. As teachers themselves, adult learners need the guidance and support of scaffolds like Thinking Maps and The Essential 5 strategies to grasp the intricacies of multiple curricula and develop the skills required to facilitate student outcomes effectively. These strategies empower educators to understand the specific needs of their students and adapt their teaching methods accordingly.
In conclusion, Thinking Maps and The Essential 5 of Kagan's Cooperative Learning Structures strategies are not just tools; they are powerful scaffolds that can:
transform students into autonomous learners
support new teachers in their quest to provide quality education
By employing these strategies, we pave the way for more efficient and effective learning outcomes, both for students and the educators guiding their way.
Reflective Questions for Teachers:
How can Thinking Maps and/or Kagan's Essential 5 strategies help me reinforce learning expectations?
What is one area I could begin integrating at least one of the Thinking Maps and/or Kagan's Essential 5 strategies as a scaffolding tool?
Why is it important for me, as the teacher, to integrate these scaffolding techniques in my classroom?
Reflective Questions for Coaches and Administrators:
How can we demonstrate the effective use of Thinking Maps and Essential 5 strategies for adult learners during professional development and lesson planning sessions?
What practices can we integrate Thinking Maps and the Essential 5 strategies so adults in the building learn to use them first?
Why would these strategies serve as effective scaffolds for teaching teachers, especially non-certified staff, and ultimately result in improved student outcomes?
Are you ready to experience the power of these scaffolds and focus on less to get better results? We invite teachers, coaches, administrators, and paraprofessionals to discover how these effective tools are integrated into professional learning experiences, empowering you to become a more effective learner and educator.
Join us for our upcoming free webinar, Teach: Build Confidence with Strategies, where we'll delve into the practical application of these scaffolds using the SKS Model.
📅 Date: October 19
🕟 Time: 4:30 to 5:15pm (Arizona Time, MST)
🌐 Location: Online via Zoom
By participating in this engaging session, you'll not only enhance your teaching skills but also contribute to improved student learning. Don't miss out! Share the news with your colleagues or secure your spot today!
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