Stability Analysis and Extension of a Discrete-Time Dynamical System for Scaffolded Learning

Van Geert and Steenbeek [16] proposed a coupled, delayed, discrete-time deterministic dynamical system to model scaffolded learning. We provide a detailed analysis of their model, whose global dynamics are complicated by the presence of intersecting lines of non-isolated, nonhyperbolic fixed points. We also interpret some of the trajectories in the system that have interesting dynamics in the context of the teacher-student interactions, and propose an extension to the model that simultaneously collapses the lines of fixed points to single, isolated points and is easily interpreted. These results provide the foundation for guiding the collection and integration of experimental data to apply the model to inform the teaching and learning process.