#126: The PS-I Squared Model: Integrating Failure-driven and Success-driven Scaffolding

Much research has examined Problem-Solving prior to Instruction (PS-I). Recent studies have reported the effectiveness of failure-driven scaffolding during this problem-solving phase. However, concerns remain that such scaffolding may negatively affect students’ confidence. This study proposes the PS-I Squared Model, which integrates failure-driven and success-driven scaffolding. In a lesson on vector dot products for high school sophomores, we compared the effects of the PS-I Squared Model, PS-I with success-driven scaffolding, and PS-I with failure-driven scaffolding. The results indicated that both the PS-I Squared Model and failure-driven scaffolding were more effective than success-driven scaffolding for promoting conceptual knowledge acquisition. Furthermore, the PS-I Squared Model appears to offer a viable approach to addressing the concerns associated with failure-driven scaffolding.