As I revisited the ins and outs of the behaviorist learning theory this week, I searched for additional resources to help me better understand the theory and application in the classroom. I came across the following video on YouTube and I found it extremely informative. As I read our assigned chapters for this week, “Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition” and "Assigning Homework and Providing Practice”, I reflected on those strategies and how they related to behaviorist learning theory (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2012). When reading the sections, I thought about my note and quote on the board regarding homework. Our school has a school-wide rule, “No homework, no recess.” Our homework is passed out on Monday and due on Friday. Each Monday, I clip a stack of extra homework sheets under a note that says, “If you are absent or misplace your homework sheet, it is your responsibility to get a new one.” Beside my note is a quote that reads, “If you take responsibility for yourself, you will develop a hunger to accomplish your dreams. –Les Brown.” I believe this parallels with the recommendation that we should “teach students about the relationship between effort and achievement” and also follows the recommendations made for assigning homework (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2012). In my class, I use the Class Dojo program, which offers rewards and consequences for behaviors. Students that return their homework on Friday receive a point towards their total that can be exchanged for coupons. Students that do not return their homework lose a point, and also have recess detention. We also have a homework celebration each 9-weeks to reward students with fewer than 3 homework strikes. This is a behavioristic approach that we have found works extremely well for our school. As far as rewarding effort and providing recognition, I feel that our Class Dojo system definitely serves its purpose in this regard. Although it was not mentioned in the multimedia section, I found it to be very similar to the badge system mentioned. Class Dojo also capitalizes on the need for communication. Below is an amazing Prezi shared by Ashley Knox that pinpoints exactly how technology paired with principles of behaviorist theories can really work in the classroom. Aside from classroom management, the behavioristic approach can also prove beneficial for instructional strategies using technology. As pointed out in our text, “Well-made software programs allow teachers to choose which learning objectives students need to practice, offer sophisticated and seamless multimedia to keep the learner engaged, and provide immediate feedback and scaffolding in order to help students understand and practice a concept” (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2012). Our school uses a program called Study Island by Edmentum. “Study Island combines rigorous content that is highly customized to specific state standards in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies with interactive features and games that engage students and reinforce and reward learning achievement” (Study Island, 2014). I do agree with Orey, in that it is possible for behaviorism to be used in a negative way – especially involving technology (Laureate Education, n.d.). Focusing on students that are underachieving and aligning all technology for remediation purposes only is a sure way to drain all passion for learning. Instructional software should be enriching and entertaining for students.
I do believe that there are many instructional strategies that correlate closely to the ideas behind the behaviorist theory. There is also an abundance of technology resources that partner seamlessly and facilitate an opportunity for success in any classroom. Resources: Laureate Education (Producer). (n.d.). Behaviorist learning theory [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved <insert date>, from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/ Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD. Study Island. (2014). About us. Retrieved from https://www.studyisland.com/about-us
3 Comments
3/15/2015 06:14:01 am
Hey Jessica!
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3/15/2015 07:00:03 am
Jessica,
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My dream is to create a 21st Century classroom that encourages collaboration, integrates technology, and promotes thinking deeply.
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