The effects of teacher training on new instructional behaviour in reading comprehension

This study concerns the effects of teacher training in instructional behaviour based on new insights in the field of learning and instruction. In an experiment, eight teachers were trained to apply a cognitive apprenticeship model and five teachers were trained to apply a direct instruction model in reading comprehension lessons in primary schools. The teachers in both experimental conditions received teaching guides, which were an adaptation of the curriculum for reading comprehension that they already used. The control group of seven teachers used the same curriculum, but received neither teaching guides nor training. In both experimental conditions teachers successfully changed their behaviour, but they did not succeed in implementing all characteristics of the instructional model aimed at in their training. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.