Modelling (demonstrating) is an effective way to teach students by showing and imitating. Modelling involves demonstrating and explaining an activity (such as learning strategies). This way of learning is particularly effective for children, teenagers, and young adolescents because mirror neurons are extra sensitive to new information during brain development (Pol, 2011). To appeal to these mirror neurons, you can act as a role model as a teacher: demonstrate things out loud and provide insight into the pros and cons of certain choices (Schuit, de Vrieze, & Sleegers, 2011). This way, the neurons become active. This means that by demonstrating something, the student can form a conceptual model through observation. This approach is motivating and strengthens students' confidence in a teacher (Zimmerman, 2000).
Peeters, W. (2020, 7 januari). De Cognitive apprenticeship theory: hoe een gezel leert van zijn meester. Geraadpleegd van: https://www.vernieuwenderwijs.nl/de-cognitive-apprenticeship-theory-hoe-een-gezel-leert-van-zijn-meester/
Pol, R. v. (2011). Wat je over pubergedrag moet weten. Geraadpleegd op 10 januari 2016 van dokterdokter: http://www.dokterdokter.nl/gezondleven/puber/wat-je-over-pubergedrag-moetweten/
Sleegers, P. J. C., Schuit, H., & de Vrieze, I. (2011). studenten motiveren: een onderzoek naar de rol van leraren. Heerlen: Ruud de Moor Centrum – Open Universiteit.
Zimmerman, B.J. (2000). Attaining self-regulation: a social cognitive perspective. In M. Boekaerts, P.R. Pintrich & M. Zeidner (Eds.), Handbook of Self-Regulation, pp. 13-39. San Diego, CA: Academic Press