The Influence of Immediate Feedback on the Behavior of Teachers-In-Training. Final Report.

The present study was an attempt to determine whether the behavior of teachers-in-training could be modified by providing them with immediate feedback as to their classroom performance. Two groups of undergraduate teaching interns were outfitted with wireless FM receivers. One group was given praise (by an observer fitted with a wireless microphone) whenever they emitted any of a predetermined set of positive behaviors. The second group received no feedback. The results showed that the technique was effective mainly when positive verbal comments on the part of the intern were reinforced. In the experimental group, the rate of this behavior rose dramatically in the training sessions. In addition, during the training phase, interns in the experimental group punished much less than the control subjects. It was concluded that the method tested was inexpensive and highly efficient for modifying some behaviors. (Author)