Enhancing Mentoring of Teacher Candidates Through Consultative Feedback and Self-Evaluation of Instructional Delivery

Abstract

In this study, the authors evaluate the efficacy of videotape analysis with structured expert consultation and self-evaluation to improve teacher candidates’ instructional delivery. A single-case, multiple-baseline, across-participants design was used to evaluate lesson components, rate of praise statements, and rate of opportunities to respond included by teacher candidates in their teaching. After teacher candidates videotaped their instructional delivery, they met with an instructional consultant and evaluated the components of instruction included in the lesson, received feedback and guidance from the instructional consultant, and established goals for subsequent instruction. Consultation was effective in increasing the number of lesson components and amount of behavior-specific praise delivered during instruction for all participants. Effects varied by participants for rates of opportunities to respond. Limitations of this study and future implications for research are discussed.