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Course Description

Discover how to use scaffolding strategically to support learning while developing independent learners. This course explores practical approaches to balancing support, challenge and learner agency in secondary classrooms, helping students become increasingly confident, capable and self-directed learners.



Audience

Secondary Teachers


Teaching Standards

3.3.2 Proficient Level - Plan for and implement Effective Teaching and Learning - Use teaching strategies:  Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking

1.2.2 Proficient Level - Know students and how they learn - Understand how students learn: Structure teaching programs using research and collegial advice about how students learn




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Course curriculum

  • 1

    Introduction

    • Welcome

    • Acknowledgement of Country

    • Learning Objectives

    • Teaching Standards

  • 2

    Module 1: The Scaffolding Dilemma in Secondary Education

    • Introduction

    • Quick Reflection Survey

    • Why Scaffolding Matters in Secondary Classrooms

    • What Does Independence Actually Look Like?

    • The Independence Indicators Framework

    • When Support Becomes a Crutch

    • Case Studies: When Success Masks Dependence

    • What Independence Looks Like Across Secondary Subjects

    • Diverse Case Studies: Identifying Emerging Independence

    • Reflection Question

    • Resource: Scaffolding Self-Audit

    • Application Activity
  • 3

    Module 2: Productive Struggle and Cognitive Challenge

    • Introduction

    • Why Struggle Matters

    • What is Productive Struggle?

    • Productive Struggle vs Cognitive Overload

    • Why Secondary Teachers Often Intervene Too Quickly

    • Productive Struggle Across Secondary Learning Areas

    • The Role of Productive Failure

    • Supporting Students Through Productive Struggle

    • Inclusive Practice Considerations

    • Reflection Question

    • Resource: Productive Struggle Decision Guide

    • Application Activity
  • 4

    Module 3: Scaffolding Disciplinary Thinking

    • Introduction

    • What Is Disciplinary Thinking?

    • Characteristics of Effective Scaffolds

    • High-Impact Scaffolds in Secondary Classrooms

    • Worked Examples and Annotated Exemplars

    • Graphic Organisers, Thinking Frameworks and Planning Tools

    • Language Scaffolds

    • Designing Scaffolds for Disciplinary Thinking

    • Scaffolds That Support Thinking vs Scaffolds That Replace Thinking

    • Case Study: The Assessment Scaffold Dilemma

    • Reflection Question

    • Resources

    • Application Activity
  • 5

    Module 4: Scaffolding Assessment Without Creating Dependence

    • Introduction

    • Why Assessment Often Requires Scaffolding

    • Assessment for Success vs Assessment for Transfer

    • The Assessment Scaffolding Continuum

    • The Exemplar Dilemma

    • Templates, Writing Frames and Structured Supports

    • Accessibility Supports vs Assessment Scaffolds

    • Assessment Readiness Framework

    • Gradual Release in Assessment Contexts

    • Assessing the Process, Not Just the Product

    • Reflection Question

    • Resources

    • Application Activity
  • 6

    Module 5 – Developing Independent Learners Through Learner Agency and Self-Regulation

    • Introduction

    • Understanding Self-Regulation

    • Learner Agency: Giving Students Ownership

    • Teaching Students to Plan

    • Teaching Students to Monitor Their Learning

    • Effective Help Seeking

    • Feedback That Builds Independence

    • Building Independence Across Different Learning Areas

    • Classroom Practices That Promote Independence

    • Case Studies: Building Learner Agency

    • Reflection Question

    • Resources

    • Application Activity
  • 7

    Module 6 – Adaptive Scaffolding: Designing, Adjusting and Removing Support

    • Introduction

    • Adaptive Scaffolding as Responsive Teaching

    • The Evidence-Based Decision Framework

    • Indicators That Students Need More Support

    • Indicators That Students Are Ready for Less Support

    • Strategies for Fading Scaffolds

    • Accessibility Support vs Scaffolding Fading

    • AI and Adaptive Scaffolding

    • Case Studies in Adaptive Decision-Making

    • Reflection Question

    • Resources

    • Wrap Up

    • Reference List
  • 8

    Course Feedback

    • Course Feedback

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