Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Social Theories Post 2

This experiment relates to learning in the classroom by proving that children learn by watching a model. In the classroom, the teacher is a very influential model. The students view the teacher as a person of high status, competence, and relevance. This experiment proves that students will learn different behaviors that the teacher exhibits. Teachers should be careful how they act in a classroom, because they never know when a student could be observing them. A way to utilize this in my classroom would be to exhibit the correct behaviors that students should be following. During quiet reading time, the teacher should also be sitting quietly reading her own book. Teachers should be seen cleaning up stations, sitting quietly when someone else is talking, and waiting their turn to speak. This use of modeling will be a distinguishing factor in my classroom and the students will be able to clearly see correct behavior on a daily basis.

1 comment:

  1. Is it always true that students admire their teachers? I don't think high school students want to imitate their biology teacher. Do they? Why?

    The experiment doesn't prove this happens ALWAYS, but just in that one case. It illuminates some principles of how modeling can happen. Your idea sounds good, but also pay attention to how students model each other. How do symbolic models come into play?

    I'm not sure how modeling would be something that would distinguish your 'classroom culture.' Would modeling be the factor that makes a student count as being a member of your class? Is that the only factor that would distinguish them as a member?

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