What are some different ways to learn new skills? Which way do you think is the best and which is your favorite? Today we’ll do an activity to better understand how we learn!
Materials
Two scarves
Bandanas
Cloth napkins/paper towels weighed down with coins or any other light fabric
Time Estimated:
10 minutes
Directions:
Start the video, then when prompted, pause it (at 34 seconds). Attempt the activity in the written instructions attached below. How did it go? Was it easy or hard? What would make it easier to learn?
Take one scarf in your dominant hand.
Move your arm in a big circle, starting with your hand even with your shoulder, moving it clockwise down past your belly button, and ending with your hand near your head.
Try this motion several times to get the hang of it.
When you complete the motion, and your hand is near your head, release the scarf and catch it with your other hand.
Do this motion several times to get the hang of it.
Now, grab an additional scarf.
Start with one scarf in each hand, and begin this motion again, starting with your dominant hand. Once you release the first scarf, perform the action again with your other hand.
Now, instead of trying to catch the scarves when you release them, allow them to fall to the floor, and don’t worry about catching them.
Once you’ve mastered this movement with two scarves, try catching them as they fall.
Restart the video and watch the video instructions. Follow the instructions step by step. How did it go? Was it easier to watch the instructions versus reading them?
Feel free to pause the video after a question is asked and discuss it. Questions are at 2:18 and 2:22.
Think Like a Scientist!
How much easier was it to learn the activity when you watched the video than when you read the instruction sheet?
What do you think is the best method for learning how to perform this action and why?
What is a skill you know how to do that you could teach someone else by using the social learning theory?
What skills do you wish you could learn or could have learned using this theory?
Besides watching someone perform a task and reading instructions on how to perform a task, what are other ways you can learn how to do something?
How Does it Work?
It is suggested that observational learning is an important way to learn new behaviors and skills. A child can imitate role models in their life (a teacher, parent, friend, etc.) and learn new skills/behaviors through observing them. Bandura argues that observational learning is one of the most important methods of learning and is more effective than reading instructions or operant conditioning when teaching a new skill/behavior.
Further Exploration:
Having a model to demonstrate a skill is highly beneficial for learning and classroom instruction. Bandura suggests that learning is social in nature, and children learn through observation and imitation of others. Observation of a visual model helps us learn motor skills like juggling as well because the learner can visualize how their own body should move, and eventually recreate the skill with their own movements.
Anticipated Concerns
Students may struggle to follow either set of instructions and successfully juggle. Students may also find that the video is easier because they are re-learning the skill, rather than the benefits of observational learning itself.
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