The document describes how digital media can be used to scaffold instruction. It provides an example of using the Symbaloo platform to create a media tour on the Dust Bowl that scaffolds student learning. The media tour uses various tiles containing videos, texts and questions to guide students through the topic. It supports active, student-led learning by providing explicit instructions, an advance organizer and opportunities for feedback. The use of multiple media in this way creates a scaffolded, inquiry-based approach focused on questioning, critical thinking and applying knowledge to authentic scenarios, as research indicates is an effective instructional technique.

1. Using Digital Media
to Scaffold Instruction
Click the audio
icon for
additional
information.

2. Scaffolding Instruction
In the article “The Changing Roles of Teachers:
What Research Indicates, Part I or II, Stronge,
Grant and Xu talk about scaffolding.

3. Scaffolding Instruction
The authors indicate that, “scaffolding
provides the incentive for students to take a
more active and participative role in their
own learning.” See techniques below:
Using real-life
problems
Modeling
thinking
Using advance
organizers
Questioning
Providing
Feedback
Students self-
manage
learning

4. Scaffolding Instruction
Did you know that you
can use Symbaloo to
create a scaffold and
present information using
multiple forms of media?

5. Experiencing scaffolded inquiry
Let’s take a peek at how Symbaloo can be used
for a Media Tour of the Dust Bowl. The Media
Tour has a series of activities/resources to
scaffold knowledge about the Dust Bowl.

6. Experiencing scaffolded inquiry
If you are interested in following along
with the Webmix, you can find it here:
http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/mediat
our-thedustbowl

7. To get started, click on the first tile in the top.
This tile has the instructions on how to
navigate the media tour.
Experiencing scaffolded inquiry

8. Next click on the second tile in the top to
access the guiding questions, graphic organizer
and journal.
Experiencing scaffolded inquiry

9. Then watch the video (the 3rd tile) from PBS on
the Dust Bowl and start taking notes notes on
the graphic organizer.
Experiencing scaffolded inquiry

10. Now explore the red tiles (multi-media texts)
and record notes on the graphic organizer.
Experiencing scaffolded inquiry

11. The value & pedagogy
Multi-media
Scaffold
• Student-led
• Self-
management
Explicit
Instructions
• Learning
objective
• Navigation
Advance
Organizer
• Structure
• Purpose
The use of Symbaloo to provide a scaffold for inquiry creates “a
student-centered active learning approach focused on
questioning, critical thinking and practicing knowledge and skills
on authentic questions (Strong, Grant & Xu).”

12. Connecting to ISTE Standards
Empowered Learner
1a Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop
strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect
on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.
1d Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology
operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use
and troubleshoot current technologies and are able
to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies.

13. Connecting to ISTE Standards
Digital Citizen
2b Students engage in positive, safe, legal and ethical behavior
when using technology, including social interactions online or
when using networked devices.

14. Connecting to ISTE Standards
Knowledge Constructor
3b Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, creditability and
relevance of information, media, data or other resources.

15. Please reach out to me at tejedor.andrea@gmail if you have any questions!