When is teacher modeling effective?
Teacher modeling turns an expert process's hidden decisions into observable steps and reasons.
Core approach and implementation process
While interpreting text, solving a problem or planning an experiment, the teacher verbalizes cues and strategy choice rather than only the answer. A flawless rapid demonstration can hide intermediate decisions, so it must be slowed and signaled. When modeling an error, the reason and correction are made explicit.
Classroom practice, monitoring and cautions
Learners first imitate and then apply the model to a similar but nonidentical task to test transfer. Explaining every expert detail at once can overload cognition, so critical decisions are selected. Students then explain their own process. Without gradual fading, they may not choose strategies independently.
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