Teaching Students with Handicaps to Learn through Observation

Action Research

“…Social learning theory places emphasis on learning through example. Modeling, or observing the responses of another person, can have as much effect as direct instruction (Grusec, 1992: Schoen, 1989). Teachers can foster such observational learning by modeling expectations for their students, using peers to demonstrate desired behavior, or coupling competent learners in cooperative learning arrangements, for instance (Woolfolk, 1999).…”

Action Research during Recess

“…For students who do acquire particular social skills in discrete environments, the acid test of success is whether or not the learning will generalize to settings where there are no artificial prompts (Schoen, 1989). For greater prosocial behavior, students with autism must demonstrate newly acquired skills in other contexts.…”