Wednesday, January 11, 2012
App2
Behaviorism in Today’s Classroom
I believe that the core of teaching involves the process of introducing what is expected to be successful. Using any form of technology gadgets or tools requires constant prompts (specific behavior) from cell phones, banking, paying bills to X-rays. For instance, to create a simple word document, the use of different features are required (e.g., accessing a blank document, font type, color, page layout, margin, adding tables, charts etc.) to produce a document. Constant prompts guide individuals to conduct (behaviorism) in a manner that allows access to in network or online programs. In essence, providing remediation through drills, practices, and traditional tutorial programs can be a constructive way to connect the theory of behaviorism to the theory of learning. This will require the reinforcement of desired and undesirable behaviors for successful teaching, and learning to occur (Laureate Education, 2009). According to Orey (2009) the theory of behaviorism can be used in both a positive and negative way.
Consequently, the behaviorist learning theory is indeed a needed concept in today’s classroom (Laureate Education, 2009). Moreover, Orey (2009) discusses the historical prospective of behaviorism during the age of BF Skinner. He explained that Skinner’s behaviorism theory centers on operate conditioning (OC). The OC is driven by two key mechanisms (Laureate Education, 2009). The first mechanism is reinforcement (reinforce or reinforcing). Reinforcement is considered the most powerful approach with facilitating learning. Furthermore, this approach produces an exceptional form of stimuli (Laureate Education Inc.2011c). For example, BF Skinners’ OC also known as programmed instruction and are a form of instruction that is prevalent in online learning and tutorials (Laureate Education Inc.2011c). Another example is using guiding questions to enable students to exhibit the expected behavior (Laureate Education Inc.2011c). The second mechanism is punishment. Punishment goes hand and hand with consequences and rewards (Laureate Education Inc.2011c). I have found reinforcing what my fourth grade students must do helps them not only with exhibiting expected behavior, but reinforcement also impacts their academic and social skills. More importantly, teachers must create a setting that reinforces students' appropriate behavior through models and approaches. Within my district students are required to practice and complete curriculum aligned task every week using the software New Century. This software guides students through a number of cross curriculum-based activities. Completing the New Century tasks connect to the concept of behaviorist coupled with technology applications. All students must follow a prompt to complete the task. This technology resource enables teachers to differentiate the instructional practice through providing a wider variety of avenues which can meet the needs of all learning styles (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn & Malenoski, 2007).
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program Number One: Behaviorist Learning Theory [Webcast]. Bridging Learning Theory, Instruction, and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, Va.: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
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Martha,
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more that students must be continually reinforced with every behavior they complete whether it is social behavior or academic behaviors. It is important for us, as teachers, to provide our students with the foundations that they need to become successful in the real world by modeling and molding necessary behaviors.
I also agree that students must be continually reinforced to promote positive behaviors.In my classroom, I use a ticket system. Students are required to come in, sit down, and start their journal entry every morning. Students that demonstrate that behavior are rewarded. I have found that this reward is more powerful than punishing students who do not demonstrate the desired behavior. As students are witnessing other students being rewarded, they begin to engage in the positive behaviors as well. Using these tickets, it is easy to have an individualized reward system and also a class based reward system. Having students work toward a goal and promoting friendly competition is important.
ReplyDeleteOne strategy I have included in this system is the use of technology to track the tickets. Students are chosen each week to count tickets and input data based on student name and class time. Graphs are created and presented during Friday Fun Day time. These graphs are then charted and put on my website for students to view their progress. Student names are kept private and students are given a number to track their results.
Hi Martha.
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts on using technology to help reinforcing behavior. When students get immediate feedback from the skill and drill programs, they see progress and are rewarded by being able to move on. It is also important for them to get positive feedback and reinforcement from their teacher also.
One of the best ways for them to modify and change their behavior is to get feedback from themselves. I like the use of spreadsheets and logs ot monitor effor vs acheivement. This tool is also really great for a math class because you can use all data to find averages, modes, patterns, and hypothesize about future events.
Thank you for your post and please feel free to visit mine
at http://mrparksmathmania.edublogs.org/
Scott Parks