Teaching by Example

Originating from different theoretical backgrounds, teaching by example and Thorndike's Identical Elements Theory share a common underlying principle: both concepts emphasize the importance of direct, observable elements in the learning process, whether in an educational or workplace environment.

Practical application and skill acquisition: The focus of both concepts is on practical application and the development of skills rather than theoretical understanding. The teaching by-example method demonstrates how to execute a task, while the Identical Elements Theory suggests that learning a task in an environment similar to where it will be applied enhances the probability of successful transfer.

Teaching by Example

Observable modeling: Teaching by example is grounded in the notion that individuals can acquire knowledge, skills, or behaviors by observing and replicating a model, typically a teacher, leader, or a more experienced peer. This type of observational learning, whether in person, video, or in an elearning environment, emphasizes the significance of visible, tangible actions and behaviors that the learner can imitate.

Application: When a teacher or leader demonstrates a behavior or skill is demonstrated, it provides a real-world, practical example of how knowledge and skills are applied. This approach aligns with the principle that learning is more effective when directly related to the context in which it will be used.

Identical elements Theory

Similarity in Contexts: Thorndike's theory suggests that the transfer of learning is most effective when the learning context and the application context share identical elements. These elements can include specific tasks, environmental cues, tools, or processes.

Application: The theory implies that skills or knowledge learned in a setting resembling the real-world application context are more likely to be successfully transferred and applied.

Shared focus on direct observable elements: Both teaching by example and the Identical Elements Theory underscore the importance of tangible, observable elements in learning. In teaching by example, the observable element is the behavior or skill being demonstrated by the model. In the Identical Elements Theory, it is the similarity between the elements of the learning and application environments.

Enhancing the Transfer of Learning: Both approaches enhance the transfer of learning by providing clear, concrete examples or environments that closely match the context in which the learned material will be applied. This similarity helps learners directly connect what they learn and how they will use it.

Incorporating the process of tell—show—do in the learning content increases the likelihood that the new knowledge or skills will be transferred to on-the-job performance.

An example of this process is a course created for a courier team to teach drivers vehicle organization. Click on the link to the course in Storyline Review to learn more about organizing a vehicle.

Teaching by example and the Identical Elements Theory are interrelated in focusing on the role of direct, observable elements in learning. Both emphasize the importance of context and practical demonstration in enhancing the effectiveness of learning and its subsequent application. While they originate from different theoretical frameworks, their principles converge in applied learning and skill acquisition.