Scaffolding in the Classrooms of New Tech Collinwood
In preparation to welcome our scholars back from winter break to New Tech Collinwood, Principal Mary E. Miller organized an amazing professional development on “Instructional Scaffolding”, with guest speaker, Drew Schrader from the New Tech Network.
Instructional Scaffolding is a process through which a teacher adds supports for students with the goal of enhancing student learning which aids in the mastery of tasks. A teacher does this by systematically building on students' experiences and knowledge as they are learning new skills. Scaffolding allows scholars to build confidence that helps them tackle more difficult tasks and can help motivate students to succeed. As students become more proficient, they desire to learn more and more about the subject. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by a task that seems impossible, students are motivated to prove themselves.
Instructional Scaffolds promote learning through dialogue, feedback and shared
responsibility. Through the supportive and challenging learning experiences
gained from carefully planned scaffolded learning, New Tech Staff can help our students
become lifelong, independent learners. Principal Miller is leading her staff through a yearlong focus on analyzing student work and implementing supports, to increase student achievement.
Sharon Kidd-Lewis
At New Tech Collinwood, students have access to the latest technology for every lesson, every day. Students develop 21st Century skills while conducting research, collaborating with classmates, sharing ideas and completing projects. New Tech Collinwood's approach to preparing you for work and college is a model that has proven to help students learn who they are and how they can be successful in school and in life through: integrated classes that show you how to use knowledge from different content areas to solve complex real-world problems. a foundation of trust, respect and responsibility. a class code of conduct developed by you and your classmates. a culture of collaboration where students hold themselves and each other accountable for success. a sense of ownership on the part of each student for setting, and meeting, high expectations throughout the high school experience.