(DE-) SCAFFOLDING AND THE EVOLUTION OF AUTONOMY IN THE TEACHING AND LEARNING PROCESS - AN INTERGENERATIONAL CASE STUDY

Psychology has produced many theories that do not concern themselves (enough) with the fact that human beings are constantly moving. This thesis takes psychological theories and empirical data gathering on to the slopes of the Austrian Alps. Alpine downhill skiing is viewed from different psychological points – teaching/learning with the notion of scaffolding, moving in a special environment, family dynamics using Dialogical Self theory, resilience.
Empirical data was collected in a longitudinal single case study over the span of four years. A combination of interviews, fill-in-the-blanks texts, and videos was used to grasp the complex reality of going down the slope. Action cameras are introduced as a practical way to gather unique data from the participants’ point of view without the disturbance of the researcher’s presence. Double Direction Theme Completion (DDTC) method was used for the fill-in-the-blanks to provoke and show ambivalence parents experience when teaching their children how to ski. The interviews were held using the method of the narrative interview to obtain long passages of storytelling.
This cumulative thesis consists of three peer-reviewed papers and one book chapter.
This project showed a way to bring more movement into psychological theories and how to gather empirical data in moving research settings. Outdoor settings have proven to provide interesting new data to analyse using already existing theories like scaffolding, dialogical self theory (DST), or resilience. The use of DST was expanded from mainly therapy settings and classrooms to an action setting. The unique conditions of demanding environments like the slope challenge I-Position to change which can be examined using the DDTC method.
The notion of descaffolding is introduced in this thesis. Descaffolding describes the process of withdrawing support in a learning setting and setting the stage for autonomous mastery. The descaffolding process is described in detail and further applications are discussed.