Observational learning is a process in which we learn by observing other people’s behavior. It is the most common type of observational learning and has been studied for over 100 years. In this article, we will discuss how it occurs and how you can use it in your classroom!
Observational learning begins with attention to a particular aspect of someone else’s actions – such as an object they’re using or their tone of voice while speaking. For example, if I notice that my coworker holds his cup differently from me when he drinks coffee, I create a mental model which consists only of these features: holding the cup at an angle; wrapping fingers around the handle; sipping through both hands (rather than just one). When I’m next drinking coffee myself then I am more likely to adopt these features, too.
In the classroom setting, teachers can use observational learning as a teaching strategy for their students by modeling desired behaviors and having them repeat what they see modeled in order to develop new skills. For example, if you want your student to learn how to build a model of Mount Rushmore with clay then it might be helpful for you to show him or her precisely which tools are needed (e.g., measuring tape; rubber band), how much water should be added so that clumps don’t form when squeezing out the wet clay, and even different techniques for rolling up one’s sleeves before getting started on this project!
Observational Learning is also linked with higher levels of motivation because we’re more likely to engage in activities that we’re already familiar with.
This article is available at: “How Observational Learning Occurs: How to Use This is a Classroom”
It’s also possible for students to demonstrate observational learning when they observe teachers. Teachers can show their students how the content should be done by modeling appropriate behaviors and providing feedback on how things are going as well as what could have been handled better. For example, if you want your student to learn how long it takes an order of chemicals to react with one another then you might model this process three times before asking them themselves to perform the same experiment independently (Ramsden et al., 2014). It’s important that any demonstration was given not only follows the steps but also provides a clear explanation of what’s happening in the experiment.
The article talks about how observational learning occurs and tackles the question of “How to use this in a classroom?” The author starts off by explaining what it is. Observational Learning happens when we observe someone else’s behavior which will then cause us to act like that person as well. It also says that there are four types of behaviors: modeling, imitation, reinforcement, and vicarious conditioning. In the video below from Alistair Sutcliffe, he explains these terms even more specifically with additional examples on how they work together for example Modeling and Imitation can be done at the same time or one after another but Reinforcement and Vicarious Conditioning cannot happen simultaneously unless you see an image of something happening instead of seeing live-action.
In conclusion, observational learning is an important type of how we learn in a classroom.
This article goes into detail about the four types of behaviors that are involved with Observational Learning: modeling, imitation, reinforcement, and vicarious conditioning.
Modelers will try to imitate what they see other people do but it can take some practice before one has this skill down pat. Reinforcement occurs when someone gets rewarding feedback from their actions which makes them want to continue doing those same things again in the future because they feel good about themselves or get something else in return for it such as attention. Vicarious Conditioning means observing someone being rewarded by others after performing certain tasks which could then cause us to want to perform these specific habits just like they did so that we can receive the same type of attention.
Reinforcement occurs when someone gets rewarding feedback from their actions which makes them want to continue doing those same things again in the future because they feel good about themselves or get something else in return for it such as attention
Vicarious Conditioning means observing someone being rewarded by others after performing certain tasks which could then cause us to want to perform these specific habits just like they did so that we can receive the same type of attention.
