The Role of Videodiscs in Special Education Methods Courses

Abstract

This article describes applications of videodisc technology to instruction. The focus is on the incorporation of videodiscs into methods training for preservice teachers. Methods training requires that teacher trainees acquire a knowledge base for instructional skills, learn to identify specific instructional methods, and learn to discriminate between appropriate and inappropriate applications of particular methods. Next, trainees must learn to perform each method and, finally, must apply each method in the classroom. Videodiscs are an efficient medium for teaching about teaching methods. However, the videodisc cannot provide practice in the actual performance of teaching skills, and must be supplemented with live supervision. In combination with other instructional technologies, it provides an efficient medium for helping preservice teachers to learn instructional methods.