The Effectiveness of Scaffolding in a Web-Based, Adaptive Learning System

Abstract

This study combined ideas from learning hierarchy andscaffolding theory to design a web-based, adaptivelearning system to investigate the effectiveness ofscaffolding for elementary school students having different levels of learning achievement. The topic chosen forlearning was the Three States of Water. A quasi-experiment was conducted. In this experiment, students were divided into three groups: control group (without scaffolds), experimental group A (scaffolds providing by on-line conversation) and experimental group B (scaffolds providing by face-to-face conversation). The experimental results showed significant improvement for students afterthey had studied using the web-based, adaptive learningsystem. Specifically, scaffolds in the form of face-to-face conversations greatly enhanced the learning of high-achievement students. However, there were no significant differences between the low-achievement students with or without the provision of scaffolds. It was also discovered that the web-based, adaptive learning system could help students develop their learning responsibility.