Creating Opportunities to Influence Self-Efficacy through Modeling Instruction Documents

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Creating Opportunities to Influence Self-Efficacy through Modeling Instruction 

written by Vashti Sawtelle, Eric Brewe, Renee Michelle Goertzen, and Laird H. Kramer

In this paper we present an initial analysis connecting key elements of Modeling Instruction (MI) to self-efficacy experience opportunities. Previously, we demonstrated that MI has positive effects on self-efficacy when compared with traditional Lecture instruction. We also found a particularly strong positive effect on the social persuasion source of self-efficacy for women in the MI class. Our current study seeks to understand through what mechanisms MI influences self-efficacy. We demonstrate this connection through an in-depth analysis of video chosen to exemplify Modeling techniques used in a problem-solving episode by three female participants enrolled in a MI introductory physics class. We provide a rich and descriptive analysis of the self-efficacy experiences opportunities within this context and discuss how these opportunities provide a potential explanation of how MI influences self-efficacy.

Published February 6, 2012
Last Modified April 26, 2012