Effects of Video Modeling on Implementation of Literature Circles in Inclusive Content Area Classrooms

Trends in special education favor inclusion and concurrently the implementation of inclusive instructional practices. As students with learning disabilities are increasingly placed in general education classrooms, the need to assist general educators in establishing inclusive classrooms becomes a major priority. Cooperative learning, in the form of literature circles, is offered as a means of providing support to academically diverse student populations. In light of research-to-practice challenges, this study investigated the potential for students with learning disabilities and their peers to learn about literature circles by viewing video models of the practice in action. Students in the video modeling group demonstrated significantly more effective implementation of literature circles including cooperative behaviors, suggesting that video modeling could serve as a means of improving the translation of research on effective instructional strategies to actual practice in classrooms.