ANCHORED INSTRUCTION AND TEACHER EDUCATION
Video-based instruction has long been available to teacher educators in video tapes, allowing students some frame of reference on a given topic. Hypermedia, integrated media, and multimedia have been used to describe methods for integrating or anchoring information from text, audio, video, etc. to enhance learning (Barren and Goldman, 1994). For the purposes of this investigation the term anchored instruction describes the method of linking information presented in a lecture to short video clips of field-based teaching strategies.
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A typical scenario might find the college instructor introducing the topic, showing the video, and then discussing the content with the students in a question and answer format. This approach is one form of anchored instruction. The linear presentation of videotape technology limits the flexibility available to the instructor. For example, the linear presentation makes it difficult to find a particular scene to repeat it, strengthening the link between a concept and a video example. Similarly, this technology is limited when an instructor wishes to present multiple short examples of a strategy to provide learners a variety of exemplars. Newer technologies such as videodisc and CD-ROM provide immediate access to rich video models and allow the instructor to link shorter video examples to specific concepts. These technological advances are not new to teacher education (Goldman and Barron, 1990; Goldman et al, 1991) and have been successful in other higher education programs (e.g., training physicians and veterinarians). Although some research has been done to measure effectiveness of this innovative instructional strategy (e.g., Goldman and colleagues), the potential benefits of these approaches warrant further investigation. These research efforts should evaluate the effects of anchored instruction at all levels of teacher education. This investigation was designed to learn how anchored instruction affects the quality of examples used by undergraduates to support their answers on essay tests. Additionally, we looked for any potential effects of anchored instruction on the ability of the students to remember examples of CBI teaching strategies. Data from two sections of the same course offered different quarters was the basis for the analysis. The delivery system for the anchored instruction included a videodisc controlled by a laptop computer for the class presentations contrasted by a traditional lecture format using no visuals. This study allowed us to study what effects this application of situated learning might have on the knowledge gain of students enrolled in an instructional methods course. The course emphasized the methods of teaching individuals with moderate to severe mental retardation. We administered an end of the quarter student satisfaction questionnaire and short probes throughout the quarters, to assess the students' recall of the visual anchors.