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Scaffolding and Achievement in Problem-Based and Inquiry Learning: A Response to Kirschner, Sweller, and Clark (2006)

Cindy E. Hmelo-Silver, Ravit Golan Duncan, Clark A. Chinn2007Educational Psychologist, 42(2), 99–107

We checked this card's citation and the finding we state against the source's own page or record in October 2026.

What it found

A reply to Kirschner, Sweller and Clark: problem-based and inquiry learning are highly scaffolded, so they shouldn't be grouped with unguided discovery. The authors present evidence that both are effective, use scaffolding to reduce cognitive load, and serve goals such as collaboration and self-directed learning as well as content knowledge.

What kind of study it is

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Adds context: a review or a weaker design, which doesn't move a card's rating on its own.
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An argument and a review of selected evidence, not a new meta-analysis.

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doi.org/10.1080/00461520701263368 · ERIC record EJ772220

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Cite this study

Hmelo-Silver, C. E., Duncan, R. G., & Chinn, C. A. (2007). Scaffolding and achievement in problem-based and inquiry learning: A response to Kirschner, Sweller, and Clark (2006). Educational Psychologist, 42(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520701263368

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