Scaffolding aims to support students in:

Scaffolding is an instructional strategy designed to support students in their learning process, specifically by providing structured assistance that enhances their understanding of complex concepts. The essence of scaffolding is to offer temporary support that can be gradually removed as students increase their competence and confidence in the subject matter.

When educators scaffold learning, they provide various forms of guidance, such as modeling, prompting, and feedback, which help learners build their understanding progressively. This approach recognizes that students may not initially grasp a particular topic or skill on their own, so teachers break down the learning into manageable steps, allowing students to move from what they are comfortable with to more challenging material.

The other options do not capture the essence of scaffolding in the same way. For instance, while independent study can promote knowledge acquisition, it doesn't necessarily involve guided support. Imitating language from peers is a valuable practice, yet it typically lacks the structured support inherent in scaffolding. Presenting all information in a single lesson contradicts the gradual building of understanding that scaffolding promotes, as it can overwhelm students and limit their opportunities for incremental learning. Thus, the primary goal of scaffolding is to guide students through a learning process that builds upon their prior knowledge and skills, leading to deeper understanding over