An observational learning paradigm was used to instruct five elementary students with mild or moderate mental retardation to monitor their comprehension of incomplete instructions. Although all subjects eventually demonstrated observational learning, performance varied depending on the type of instruction inadequacy. During posttesting all…

Mastery or "second chance" learning is easily adaptable to the principal's modeling through the classroom observation/supervision process. The five-step process (preobservation conference, performance of observation, postobservation conference, professional growth plan, and observation) helps teachers own the classroom observation process and…

Effects of constant time delay in teaching sight word reading to four disabled preschoolers were evaluated. The method was reliably implemented in a group setting, effectively taught all targeted stimuli in near-errorless fashion, promoted observational learning across students, and resulted in greater expressive labeling and receptive…

The "window-wall" in the San Diego State University/Cajon Valley Union School District Model Education Center provides a mechanism for linking theory to practice for preservice teachers at this professional development school. Several observation activities are described, and the value of the window-wall to school and university faculty…

A study examined the acquisition of incidental information and observational learning of incidental information by 12 adolescents with moderate intellectual disabilities during school-directed systematic instruction. Results found participants learned 51.6% of the incidental information they observed during community-based or simulated dyadic…

Four secondary students with moderate/severe mental retardation were taught table cleaning skills using a system of least prompts (SLP) procedure and multiple exemplars. In addition, students were encouraged to acquire nontargeted behaviors through observational learning during instructional downtime. Results indicate the SLP strategy was…

Describes the design and preliminary evaluation of an interactive multimedia CD-ROM based on problem-based learning principles to help preservice teachers integrate technology into their teaching. Discusses experiences at the University of Southern Queensland that also used interactive television to allow student to observe experienced teachers at…

This study examined effects of direct training and observational learning on acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of a first-aid skill for three pairs of preschool children with disabilities (three target learners and three observational learners). All six children learned the skill, generalized the skill to playground and home settings,…

Examines the use of modeling techniques in a methods course to help prepare prospective English teachers, focusing on: demonstrations and explicit instruction, use of class assignments and explicit modeling, and ongoing modeling and reflective analysis. Each section contains a description of instruction and a description of student and instructor…

Purpose--Sociocultural learning theories, usually premised on participation in some community, explain workplace learning well up to a certain extent. The paper aims to extend beyond these and to account for learning in repetitive and mundane work environments from a dialectical perspective. Design/methodology/approach--Based on a longitudinal…

This packet attempts to provide educationally sound alternatives to dissection in the classroom, thereby making it possible for teachers to eliminate dissection from the curriculum. This packet can also be used by educators who include dissection in their curricula but consider it important to respect the expression of students' ethical, moral, or…

This digest reviews the literature related to learning styles of American Indian and Alaskan Native students. Several studies show that in some tribes, observation, self-testing in private, and then demonstration of a task for approval are essential steps in learning. Indian children often hesitate to participate in large and small-group…

A classroom communication course combines both the study of communication variables in the classroom and the opportunity for students to practice some communication skills they might use as classroom teachers. The course has three major objectives. In seminar style, the students and teacher together will identify questions worth exploring in the…

The impact of exposure to social models displaying variably tolerant pain behaviour on observers' expressions of pain is examined. Findings indicate substantial effects on verbal reports of pain, avoidance behaviour, psychophysiological indices, power function parameters, and sensory decision theory indices. Discussion centers on how social models…

Imitation in the speech of the child serves at least three functions in the development of linguistic competence. Imitation provides auditory feedback for phonological and morpho-syntactic accuracy, produces a model for verification and/or clarification by speakers, and "makes time" for the processing and acquisition of information. Beyond these…