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The Importance of Good Modeling "Do as I Say, Not as I Do" Just Doesn't Work To a degree, modeling is simply a fancier word for a very simple concept: People, especially kids, learn more from what they see than from what we tell them. No matter how many times you tell kids that reading is important and valuable, if they don't see you doing it (and enjoying it!), they'll think of it as a chore. No matter how many times you tell them to save their files on the computer, they'll do it only as often as you do. Count on it. Modeling is about demonstrating everything you want kids to do in the way you want them to do it. Sometimes it's a specific task, like showing kids how to hold a camera, but it also involves reinforcing global values like teamwork through the words you choose and how often you involve others in your demonstrations. Modeling may be a fancy word for the concept, but it's a very descriptive one—you must be a role model for kids in everything you think is important for them to master. From the details on up, show and tell works much better than just tell. Modeling Values and Attitudes Kids are remarkably intuitive. Based on your actions, emotions and attitude, they know when you truly value something and when you don't. You can talk about the importance of sharing ideas all day long, but if they never hear you ask for input, they'll know you don't really mean it. That's why anything you consider a root principle of your learning programs must be reinforced through everyday activities and throughout your environment. We all want to inspire a love of reading in kids, for example, so do you read aloud every day? How about quiet time when kids can read their own books themselves? During those free reading times, the kids must see you reading your own book or magazine, not working on lesson plans or preparing for a future project. Even though those are important things you have to do, kids will learn from it that reading is nothing but busy work they have to do while you're doing fun and productive things. You must read, too, without periodically looking up to see if they're doing what they're told. If reading is to be fun, valuable and important, you must model it that way. Every day. Repetition and practice are the keys to reinforcing your model. A good way to look at it is that you are always modeling, whether you intend to or not. Suppose you are doing an image-editing project in Photoshop. If you are tentative because you're insecure about your own knowledge, kids will feel that. You will just model fear and anxiety. The kids may become discouraged because they think it's hard, or become frustrated because they can't get an answer from you. However, if you show a positive attitude of exploration and learning together, even though you don't have all the answers, you will model confidence, curiosity and collaborative learning. "So what if we make a few mistakes!" should be the approach. When you hand a child a digital camera and say things like, "Now be careful, this is very expensive," you show that you are insecure about their ability to handle it. If, instead, you show them how to hold it properly and confidently—and use that same method yourself every single time—you've modeled trust.
Modeling Collaboration and Inquiry In many ways, modeling is about establishing patterns that help create a secure, predictable learning environment for kids. Always keep a high energy level, and ask lots of questions. Engage the kids at every opportunity. At the project level, try to follow this three-stage approach:
When you institute and repeat patterns, you're modeling a certain way of thinking and acting that kids will understand, copy and internalize. You're not just teaching them information—you're teaching them how to learn. Modeling Step-by-Step Demonstrations Whether you're doing a journal exercise, a lesson on how to conduct an interview, or a Web page activity, showing kids how to do it will be most effective. You must be sure to engage the class and have a way of ensuring that they really understand what you showed them. For most activities, use a pair-share process as much as possible. Yes, it takes a little longer, but doing so builds community, models good interaction skills and gives you a way to see whether the kids have really grasped the concept. Whenever you're demonstrating, keep up the verbal patter, especially by asking lots of questions, even if they're rhetorical—Did you see that? Why do you think I did it that way? Have you ever seen that before? Isn't that neat? This is especially important when you are doing technology demonstrations, such as showing a piece of software, when kids have to sit still and watch for a while. Always keep such demonstrations bounded to just a few concepts so as not to overwhelm the kids, and involve them as much as possible. For example, try bringing someone up front to work with you. Remember, everything you do in front of the class has two levels. The first level is the specific activity you're engaged in, and the second consists of the social, cognitive and community skills you're modeling.
Does all of this information sound repetitive? It's meant to. From playing a musical instrument to effective communication skills, we all gain mastery only through repetition and practice, and that goes for thinking, questioning and social skills as well. Repetition and practice do not have to be boring, however, as long as you show energy and enthusiasm and as long as the kids get to participate. What's more, familiar patterns provide security for kids and help them build confidence. For children in disadvantaged communities, this security may sometimes be the most important thing you can provide. Related Topics
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