In my latest course at Walden University, my cohorts and I have been asked to post our thought on how certain instructional strategies correlate to the principals of the behaviorist learning theory. In particular, we were to look at reinforcing effort and at homework and practice.
Our reading came from Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works by Howard Pitler, et al. I have to admit that I had a bit of trouble seeing the behaviorism in first chapter that we were to read on reinforcing effort. I understand why reinforcing effort is important and that students need to be explicitly taught about the importance of effort, but fitting that with behaviorism was tough. However, as I continued to think about this I began to see the behaviorism involved.
This chapter recommends having students use software such as spreadsheets to track their effort in a subject and the resulting grades. The idea is that as the students see the effect that their effort has on their grades, they will be motivated to put forth more effort. In this case, poor grades could be seen as punishment for the undesired behavior of poor effort, whereas good grades could be positive reinforcement for the desired behavior of good effort. If all behavior is learned habits (http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Behaviorism) then this process is teaching the students the habit of studying.
The chapter on homework and practice was an easier one in which to find behaviorism. This chapter recommends several websites that use an instructional strategy called operant conditioning. In this strategy, a student answers a question and is immediately given feedback, either that they were correct or that they were incorrect. If they were incorrect, then some form of remediation is applied. The response that the student was correct is the reinforcement of the desired behavior. When an incorrect answer is given, the program provides modeling by showing the student how to work the particular type of example. Then the student is given the opportunity to try again.
Behaviorism may seem to be controversial in today's educational circles, but a closer look shows that it certainly has valid uses in the classroom.
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I think you hit on the key to using behaviorism in the classroom when you wrote about providing immediate feedback! When our students get the feedback, it is like their stimulus, and they respond to it... Who knew we'd still be talking about B.F. Skinner and operant conditioning in 2009? I thought that helping them see the connection between their effort and their success at learning the subject was very important because at some point it seems that many students decide they are just not good at certain subjects, so they stop trying. Obviously at that point they also stop succeeding, and perpetuate the idea that they are not good at it :-)
ReplyDeleteI know that as a classroom teachers, we are often pulled in so many different directions simultaneously, so I welcome any tool that helps me to meet the needs of many students at one time. The key, though, to using this technology effectively is having a teacher who is still observing and intervening when necessary. The computer program can only do so much, and then students still need the teachers expertise. These programs are not an extra "break" for the teacher, but you know there are some who will see it as one. If the teacher remains involved, these programs have great potential. I am glad we use them at my school.
ReplyDeleteThe charting of students' effort was very interesting to me as well. I teach in an elementary setting, so my challenge would be to get the students to realistically evaluate their effort. SO many of these young children think that studying five minutes the night before a test is sufficient! Elementary teachers would have to teach very carefully how to chart this information. Perhaps parent involvment would be the best bet. However we managed to do it, I think the benefits of this idea are outstanding!
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteEven though behaviorism has a negative connotation with some, I think that when we take a closer look, it is relevant in today's educational process. Even though we may incorporate other strategies in our clasrooms, positive reinforcement and feedback are essential tools for us.
As far as the ideas within our reading, allowing students to take ownership of effort in regards to success is not a bad idea. Even young children can begin to realize that the amount of effort and time given to learning really does relate to success. Students can set a goal, concentrate on reaching that goal, and then reflect on how this improved thier achievement. What do you think?
Lynn
Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are definite benefits to having students take ownership of their effort. I just wonder how to best get them to accurately evaluate their level of effort. It is a worthwhile idea, though.