Behaviorism in Today’s Classroom
“Behaviorist learning theories emphasize changes in behavior that result from stimulus-response associations made by the learner” (Orey, 2001). The emphasis on behaviorist learning has decreased in recent years. However, this does not mean that the theories can’t be used successfully for certain applications in the classroom. This is only one approach. There are many and yet none of them seems to be a cure-all. Taking important concepts from each theory and using them together requires making the same types of connections that we expect from our students.
Reinforcing effort in the classroom is one area where a behaviorist approach can be successful. The use of spreadsheet software to create an effort chart is a good example. Students would become familiar with the rubric and would be conditioned to expect a certain outcome depending on their weekly progress. A simple thing like receiving teacher praise after a week of progress could be considered behaviorist.
Homework is an opportunity for students to practice the concepts that they covered in class that day or that week. It is certainly necessary to help students to master the material. Teachers frequently praise students for completing homework, put a star next to their name on a bulletin board, or even give out extra privileges in the classroom. These are all examples of behaviorism and can be used successfully in the classroom.
In the past, in order to encourage students to put in the effort, I have tried some unique reward based techniques. I traded one student two tickets for a whitewater rafting trip in exchange for an entire semester of homework completion and grade improvement. The company is one of our business partners. I entered into a similar contract with another student where they earned a membership to Gold’s Gym which was donated after I spoke with the manager. These worked quite well with these two individual students. I would not use the same method with every student because those items would not interest many students. Behaviorist theories certainly have their place in the classroom but they need to be used at the discretion of teachers that can implement them while still exploring the many other avenues to learning.
References:
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Main_Page
Jason,
ReplyDeleteYou may several good points in your post. I agree that by applying important concepts from each theory, we can better facilitate our students in making connections. I feel that Behaviorism, as all theories, has its place in education. Dr. Orey's discussion supports the benefits of online tutorials and its relevance to online learning. (Laureate 2011) This programmed instruction, known today online tutorial, has been an asset in providing additional enrichment activities that correlate with the curriculum. This form of positive operant condition, can be measured. A struggling student completing a goal can have tangible proof, such as a printable certificate, to document their success or achievement.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011). Program four: Behaviorist learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Jason,
ReplyDeleteBehaviorism is useful as a tool for managing classroom behaviors. Rewards and recognition are important for students of all ages. All it takes to encourage appropriate behavior or outcomes for some students is a good job and a smile, whereas others need something more tangible.
Online tutorials, in my opinion, are not the best instructional technologies to enhance student learning. A technology that will enhance student learning will provide opportunities for students to communicate, collaborate, and think critically. When I think of online tutorials for high school students I think of the lab at my high school that is a boring environment.
I believe there are instructional technologies capable of changing student behaviors for the better, but teachers must choose carefully. Appropriate technologies are technologies that help students make connections by allowing them to process the knowledge gained.
I agree with your choice of highlighting the use of spreadsheet software to get students to track there effort and the immediate result on their assessments, whether it is a quiz or a test. I believe this is a valuable tool.
Good post!
Jason,
ReplyDeleteWow those are definitely unique reward techniques. I wish I would of had a high school teacher like you. Do you find that all your students then want a "big" reward once you used it with two of your students?
I too use positive reinforcement by using various different reward strategies with my third graders. My third graders are happy when their group earns a jolly rancher for following directions or appropriate behavior. As a class we work on spelling out various words, for example "movie" as rewards for class behavior.
I have used various reward systems with individual students who need the extra motivation to complete their work or act appropriately in the classroom. Sometimes the rewards are as simple as 10 extra minutes to read a book of choice or 10 extra minutes to work on the computer. Many times I involve the parents and they also encourage their children to work towards various different "home rewards," for example, a trip to McDonalds or even an extra game night with mom and dad.
I also like the effort rubric and the use of the spreadsheet software to track effort that was pointed out in our text. I plan to use that with my students soon. Have you used anything like that with all of your students? I am anxious to see if I get the same results that the teachers in the book did.
Great post!