Modelling for Success

An insight as to how the most transferable, online, teaching skill is crucial for understanding and impact.

Modelling in The Classroom

Modelling remains at the heart of what we do as teachers, for clarification and moving attainment forward. Providing students with clear examples of how to structure sentences, analyse a piece of writing or label key aspects, for example. Effective educators not only understand the benefits of the modelling process but put thought and planning in to ensuring that the accurate steps are put in place, depending on the particular learners that they have in front of them, at any one time.

Once students feel confident, after observing a model, they can replicate and adapt it in their own work- thus encouraging independent learning. ‘More Effective Teaching Through Modelling’, a case study by Adam Lawrence suggests that modelling helps students transition from novice to expert learners by providing clear examples of success. It also improves problem-solving skills and critical thinking. Furthermore, ‘Effects of Model-Based Science Education on Students’ Academic Achievement’ by Demirçalı & Selvi, 2021 found that students who received model-based science teaching performed better academically and developed stronger scientific process skills compared to those who received traditional instruction.

Additionally, breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps makes learning less overwhelming; ‘Exploring the Impact of Modelling in Science Education’ by Valeeva et al, a systematic review, found that using models in teaching improves student understanding, particularly with abstract concepts. It also enhances cognitive, social, and cultural learning outcomes- not forgetting supporting EAL learners to grasp new vocabulary and grammar.

Modelling is a powerful tool for improving student learning outcomes across various subjects and is a crucial teaching strategy in online English tuition, as it helps students understand language structures, writing techniques, and communication skills more effectively.

Effectiveness of Modelling in Online Learning

Using virtual whiteboards, annotated texts, and video demonstrations enhances comprehension, whilst also allows the educator to provide scaffolding, such as sentence frames and structured examples to guide students. Seeing a teacher model a task makes students more confident in attempting it themselves, encouraging engagement- breaking that boundary between physical distance.

Modelling remains a high-impact strategy in online English tuition, ensuring students receive clear guidance even in a virtual setting, examples of which, include:

Live Demonstrations: Teachers use screen sharing or a virtual whiteboard to walk students through a process step by step. For example, in English tuition, you could model how to structure an essay by writing a paragraph in real time while explaining your thought process.

Worked Examples: Teachers provide completed examples of tasks before students attempt them. For instance, show a well-written answer to a comprehension question, highlighting key elements like structure, clarity, and analysis.

Think-Aloud Strategy: Allows teachers to process while solving a problem or analysing a text. This helps students understand how experts approach tasks, making abstract concepts more accessible.

Scaffolded Learning: Breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps. For example, when teaching creative writing, teachers may start by modelling sentence construction, then move to paragraph development, and finally full story composition.

Visual Modelling: Using graphic organizers, diagrams, or annotated texts to illustrate concepts. For instance, highlight key phrases in a passage, under the visualiser, to show how authors build arguments.

Video Modelling: Teachers may record short instructional videos, demonstrating key skills, allowing students to replay and review at their own pace.

Peer Modelling: Students are encouraged to share their work and explain their reasoning, reinforcing learning through collaboration.

One thing is for certain: modelling is here to stay- and how incredible that we have found ways to adapt teaching to impart that knowledge and practice from anywhere across the globe!