What principle does scaffolding emphasize in the learning process?

Scaffolding is a teaching strategy that emphasizes the gradual removal of support as students develop their skills and understanding. This approach is grounded in the belief that learners benefit from initial guidance and assistance, which allows them to engage with and master new concepts. As students become more competent and confident in their abilities, the instructor systematically reduces the level of support provided, facilitating greater independence in the learning process.

This method not only helps students build their knowledge and skills but also fosters a sense of achievement as they progressively take on more responsibility for their learning. By tailoring support to the individual needs of students and slowly withdrawing assistance, scaffolding encourages deeper understanding and retention of information, enabling learners to apply what they have learned in new and varied contexts.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the scaffolding approach. Providing support only at the end would not be effective for learning. Offering continuous assistance can inhibit a student’s ability to gain independence. Lastly, encouraging independent learning from the start fails to acknowledge that many learners require initial support to effectively absorb new information before they can successfully operate on their own.