What it says. Building on constructivism, Vygotsky emphasized that learning is social and that students can do more with guidance than alone. The zone of proximal development is the space between what a learner can do unaided and what they can do with support. Scaffolding is the temporary help, from you or a peer, that lets a student work in that zone, then is removed as they gain independence.

What it means for your teaching. Pitch tasks just beyond what students can already do, and provide support to bridge the gap: hints, structures, models, and peers who are a step ahead. Use discussion and group work deliberately, since explaining and negotiating ideas with others is itself a way of learning. Remove the scaffolds over time so students can stand on their own.