The term "vicarious learning" was introduced in the 1960s by Bandura, who demonstrated how learning can occur through observing the behaviour of others. Such social learning is effective without the need for the observer to experience feedback directly. More than twenty years later a series of studies on vicarious learning was undertaken…

Students learned teaching principles either with or without (control group) the presentation of a classroom exemplar in video or text format. Across 2 experiments, the video group produced higher transfer scores and affective ratings than the other groups. Four weeks later, the video group recalled more information about the exemplar than the text…

A study assessed the impact of using modeling and rehearsal techniques for teaching breast self-examination to college students. Although students exposed to the techniques did not differ from a control group who read pamphlets in knowledge level, their attitudes changed somewhat. (PP)

Education majors need an updated field experience aimed at studying adolescents from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Visiting a local shopping mall on a Friday night to observe teens in their natural habitat is entertaining and enlightening. By surveying kids, college students can find out what teens value and examine their own…

Summarizes the research related to effective training approaches to teacher education. Describes an inservice program that incorporates the recommendations to improve teachers' questioning techniques. Recommends peer discussion and feedback among teachers to develop practical understanding of questioning techniques through analyzing their work.…

Examines teachers' roles as mediators of knowledge and cognitive learning in the classroom. Cites research findings concerning teacher effectiveness, expertise, and curriculum knowledge. Urges user-friendly, explicit methods of classroom teaching as opposed to child-centered learning without mediation by the teacher. Suggests that teacher…

This paper presents the results of a 1997-98 Goals 2000 Preservice Teacher Education Grant that created a partnership between the State University of New York at Oswego and two local elementary schools. The program was designed to provide preservice teachers in elementary education and special education methods classes the opportunity to observe…