Modelling
Modelling puts the learner in a situation where they are exposed to both subject content and theory, working under the guidance of an expert.
The responsibility of the expert is to:
- ‘walk’ learners through the processes that our minds automatically go through as ‘experts’, 'modelling' the process and making thinking explicit
- diagnose accurately the current skill level and task difficulty for learners, breaking down the task into intermediate steps and allowing the learner to become increasingly independent
- introduce learners to ‘rules of thumb’ used by experts in the profession
- stimulate reflection on the process that the learner has experienced.
Teachers, tutors and trainers are also involved in modelling behaviours that they want learners to adopt, for instance, through their own use of language and ways of relating to others.
Techniques:
- diagnosis of learners’ current skills
- practical activities broken down into steps
- learners as teachers
- on-the-job coaching
- problem-solving
- learning tricks of the trade and rules of thumb
- modelling positive behaviours.
