Final answer:
Rickie's teacher used scaffolding as a technique by giving a hint to help Rickie solve a math problem, allowing him to build upon his existing knowledge and become more independent in his problem-solving abilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Rickie's teacher provides a hint that helps him think a little differently about the math problem, the technique used can best be described as scaffolding. Scaffolding is a teaching method that involves giving students the support they need while they learn new concepts, gradually removing that support as students become more independent.
The fact that Rickie was able to solve the problem after considering the hint indicates that the teacher's support was appropriate for his level of understanding and helped him build upon his existing knowledge, demonstrating the principle of scaffolding effectively.
This approach echoes the theme in education where instructors are urged to focus on teaching the conceptual understanding behind equations rather than promoting rote memorization or equation-hunting. By doing so, educators empower students to solve problems by leveraging their intuition and reasoning, fostering long-term mastery and cognitive development.