Scaffolding
Universities now have student learning outcomes. Scaffolding is the building of knowledge and skills based on prior knowledge to create a new individual knowledge structure. Students learning outcomes from a required previous course will help us build new knowledge.
Jason,
It is good to talk to the instructors who teach the prerequisite courses to make sure they understand what you need the students to know before they get out of the course. I have even worked collaboratively with prereq course instructors to develop a final exam and a project to incorporate skills needed to be accomplished before they get out of the course. Then, you can build from the beginning. Thanks!
I agree that it is important to build on previous knowledge, but it has been my experience that there is a significant difference between what students should know from previous courses and what they do know. I begin every course by assuming nothing and very quickly through the discussion forums I gain a firm undertanding of where each class stands.
Linda,
Sometimes common sense is nit common. Ha! Thanks!
Patricia,
Right on. We have to think about the prerequisites and how we can build on other courses and what the students are learning. Nice job.
This seems like a common sense approach to learn anything new...to build upon what you already know.
Scaffolding shows the importance of prerequisite courses. In the medical industry we would not expect a student to start their first course by performing advanced coding. Learning the necessary skills such as beginning with terminology, and anatomy helps provide a student with a foundation of information that they will need in order to advance in the industry. If scaffolding is not carefully considered and the courses arranged in the proper order a student will not have the necessary background to be successful.
Tricia
Fred,
It's important for students to understand the learning outcomes and what is expected of them so they can reach the course goals. Nice job.
