Behaviorism Theories
Behaviorism is the learning theory that emphasizes behaviors changes of students. Behaviorist focuses on directly observed behaviors that can be learned habits as a result to operant conditioning. If a student is demonstrates a desirable behavior rewards will help encourage those behaviors. However, if a student demonstrates an undesirable behavior they are often followed by consequences (Orey, 2001). I think it is necessary as an educator to point out desirable traits and behaviors that students’ demonstrate to recognize its importance. In addition, these students serve as role models to other students as their positive behaviors are pointed out. In addition, behaviorist can also use learning theory, instruction, and technology for positive reinforcement of students. Technology can be used to “Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition,” and “Assigning Homework and Providing Practice.”
Reinforcing Effor and Providing Recognition
It is important as an educator to provide moral support to
all students to help build on their self-esteem and motivation to succeed in
class. It has been prove through
research that self-efficacy plays a strong role in motivation in learning. If a student feel that they are unable to
succeed they often do not succeed where as if a student believes they can
succeed they often do. The saying
“Success comes in cans; failures in can’ts,” can be used to represent a
students self-efficacy (Pitler, 2012, p.57).
I have noticed from past experience that students need to believe in themselves
weather it is in science class when designing an experiment, history class when
they are presenting a project, or gym class when they are trying to run a
mile. I believe that your mind has a
huge impact on your success. It is
important as a teacher that you create an environment that reinforces effort
and provides recognition to students to encourage their success.
They are a various technological tools that educators can access to help increase motivation. Teachers can use data collection and analysis tools that students can be active participants in the creation of the rubric they will use to monitor their achievement. They can then rate their efforts weekly based on attitude, commitment, pride, and total effort and assessment school. They can monitor their progress throughout the course to visual how their attitude attributes to their assessment score. Students also love to be recognized and praise for their hard work and achievement. As a high school teacher I put stickers on test grades that are “A’s,” or a when I notice an improvement on a test. In addition, students like their work displayed for other people to see. In my classroom I often display projects that students create around the room. In addition, teachers can showcase students work on their webpages by posting photographs of their project, links or attachments to their presentations or word documents to be seen by anyone who view the website. In my class I had students create fictitious marshmallow creatures based on genetic traits that was inherited. After students created their Marshmallow Creatures I had them email me a picture of and created a class photo gallery of their creations. This could be posted on an online source that students could show their family and friends as well a source such as flicker, website, blog, or wiki page. In order to encourage participation in class I created “Budney Bucks” that I print out and give to students are rewards coupons. My students are able to cash in their Budney Bucks and redeem them as homework passes or extra credit on the test. I often sent my students reminders and inspirational quotes using reminder 101. I feel that it is important as an educator to provide positive reinforcement for my students to encourage they achievement in my class. I strongly believe when students are provided positive support it helps raise their motivation and desire to succeed. When students know that other people are going to view their work they often but more time and dedication in to the assignment or project.
Assigning Homework and Providing Practice
This year in teaching I have been struggling with the
creation of effective homework assignments.
I believe that practice, drill, and repetition are essential in mastery
the understanding of information.
However, I feel that students no longer want to take the time to review
their notes or textbook to complete assignments. They often answer questions off the top of
their or instantly Google the answers to questions. Many of the worksheet I provide my students
are from the Internet or supplemental material from the book where the answers
easily accessible online. When students
are coping answers they are not thinking or analyzing what they are writing and
the assignment is ineffective. As a
result, researching finds have mix findings of the effectiveness and importance
of homework (Pitler, 2012, p.167). As a
teacher I feel that extra reinforcement is needed at home however, it must
reflect on higher order thinking skills and be effective to student
learning. Homework assignments must
support academic learning communication and also provide feedback to
students.
It is important as a society is becoming more technology
based that teacher utilize technology is their assessments. If homework assignments are designed using
technology it can prevent students from copying answers to worksheets. Multimedia can be implement in lessons to
redefine homework practice by having students listening to a podcast or vodcast
lecture at home. In class the teacher
would be able to focus her time to answering questions and working with small
groups in school. Students can also
watch tutorials from the Khan Academy in various different subject areas to
help reinforce information they learned.
Students can also watch short video segments on BrainPop followed by
questions they need to answer and email quiz to their teachers. Students are also able to use technology to
create games as homework assignments.
Students can utilize blogs as a classroom collaboration to answer questions
and respond to classmates post (Pitler, 2012).
As our society is changing the way we educate must change as
well. What worked well in the past is
not longer as effective today. As
students are becoming more technologically equipped we must utilize technology
to keep them engaged in a lesson. In the
past if a topic came up in class I would give extra credit to a student that
research the material for homework however, today they want answers instantly. We must redesign our lesson and teaching
strategies to keep students engaged, interested, and waning to learn.
Useful
to enhance your technology use in the classroom
Can be used to show short reinforcement videos: https://www.khanacademy.org/library
Flickr can be use to virtually display student work: https://www.flickr.com/
References:
Orey, M. (Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning,
teaching, and
technology. Retrieved from
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M.
(2012). Using technology with classroom
instruction that works (2nd
ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI agree that through the behaviorism learning theory, technology can be used for “reinforcing effort and providing recognition” and “assigning homework and providing practice.” Providing moral support to all students is something I feel you take great pride in. This is very similar to how I feel. Helping to build students’ self-esteem and motivation sets up a students’ brain for success. You named several examples, such as having students rank their efforts on a weekly basis using technology or posting photographs of their projects on a class website. Are these some things that you do? If yes, do you have a particular technology application that you use to have students track their weekly efforts?
I, too, have been struggling with effective homework assignments this year. It is so interesting to me that the world we live in allows students to simply use Google to answer questions instead of having to refer to their notes or textbooks to complete assignments. I think it is a great idea to have homework assignments that are designed using technology to prevent students from copying answers. Have you had students use Khan Academy? I have heard this mentioned in a previous class, but have not explored it yet. Thank you for providing the link. I will make sure to explore it.
Ivy
Ivy,
DeleteI have not tried those strategies yet however, I would like to introduce some of them into my classroom. I have showed my students short tutorials and have incorporated Khan videos in class before. I find that they are useful because the provide animations to go along with the lesson. Some students find them to be helpful where as some find it to be boring. Although, as long it helps some students better understand the information I think it is successful and benificial. It is almost impossible to prevent kids from using google. So I just need to incorporate home work that they need to synthesize information.
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
ReplyDeleteI am also a high school teacher, and I find it amusing to see how much students, at this age, respond to things like stickers for rewards. You would think that at this point in the game, it wouldn't be a big motivator, but it can be. Overall, everyone likes recognition and I believe, like you, that it is a powerful way to motivate students to keep going. I call these the little celebrations in our classroom. I work a lot with a lot of seniors who are in the midst of choosing colleges to apply to and then figuring out which one to attend. I have students post their acceptances on the wall as they begin to trickle in and fill out a certificate of committment when they make their decision to post around the room. I then leave it up for the incoming seniors to view upon entering my classroom and it has a tremendous impace on them. One way I may change this is to create a Flickr Account to take pictures of all my students and comment on their accomplishments for all to view, including parents, colleagues, and incoming seniors.
You mentioned the use of Brain Pop as a tool; I'm wondering if you have actually tried this strategy. One thing I try to use consistently to provide instantaneous feedback is Socrative.com. It's a great free tool to gather results from formative assessments. Students can see their results instantly, and I find it to be a great motivator.
Overall, I believe like you do that techology must be incorporated more to keep students engaged and to give them the positive reinforcement and motivation to continue to learn.
I think it is great that you have the students post their acceptance letter on the wall in your classroom. It must make them feel important that is up their for everyone to see in your classroom. I know its crazy with the stickers I have students ask me why they did not get a sticker when they do not get one. I want to use your advise and create a Flickr Account to showcase studnets work and accomplishments. I have not tried Brain Pop but it seems very useful. In the past I have had students take online test from the textbook and print out or email me thier score for extra credit. Brain Pop seems to be very similar to that and I would like to try it out.
Delete