This week's learning resources centered around the behaviorists theory of learning and looked at different instructional strategies that help to reinforce this theory. Dr. Michael Orey talked about Operant conditioning and how behaviors can be reinforced through rewards and they can be punished if the behavior is undesirable (Laureate Education, Inc, 2011).
One of the instructional strategies discussed the benefits of reinforcing effort. By doing, students see the correlation behind their behavior (how much effort they are putting into something) to their successes with learning new material. My school uses a contract system for every student and they carry it with them from class to class each week. They can earn a total of 4 checks per class and one of them focuses on whether the student has put forth their best efforts. This helps our students be more accountable for their actions and take control of their own learning. When students start to see that they have power in their learning, I believe the more learning occurs. Another way that I help my students monitor their own effort, is through the use of rubrics. I love the Rubistar tool discussed in this week's learning resources and I use it with my students on almost all of their assignments. Part of my grading system has the students grade themselves on their rubrics before I do so that they can have a part in their grade as well. I have found that most of my students are completely honest and are often harder on themselves than I am! Using technology tools like surveys and spreadsheets, allows the students to take ownership of their effort and see how the success and effort correlate.
The second instructional strategy discussed this week was on homework and practice. This gives students the chance to review the skills learned in class and apply them independently at home. It also goes hand in hand with the behaviorists perspective through using technological activities for homework, students get reinforced while completing assignments. "Technology facilitates homework, making it easier for students to work on collaborative homework assignments and providing "drill and practice" resources that help students refine their skills" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p.189)I have been doing better about assigning homework that involves my students interacting with websites, collaborating with each other through blogs and creating presentations. In doing so, I have seen an increased desire in my students and their willingness to complete homework. They see it as something fun to do, rather than another tedious worksheet. I also enjoy grading different assignments as well!
These two instructional strategies correlate with the behaviorists theory since they focus on rewards and punishments. Students behavior gets managed in both situations and we find more often than not, it is in a positive way!
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
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Kori,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you stated, “When students start to see that they have power in their learning, I believe the more learning occurs”. I have had this experience as well, when the students start to get encouraged and take charge of their learning; they always do so much better. I have also used rubric to help my students monitor their own effort and for the most part my students are honest as well. This has helped in my class to keep the students motivated to work hard and they do an excellent job at working harder the next day if they felt they slacked off. I think the students would have more fun using technology to do their homework, rather than a worksheet. Being an elementary physical education teacher I do not send very much homework home with my students, but I will have to try to incorporate technology when I do!
Kelsey
Kori, what really stood out to me was the behavior management system you discussed. The power comes with the system not being teacher specific, but instead by being globally adopted by your entire school. Students understand the system because it exists in every class they attend. Instead of being specific to 'some populations' it is for all students. That is another plus. Behaviorists would love the continuity and reinforcement your school's plan utilizes. I can imagine when we as a community allow students to bring their own devices like ipods, ipads, and android devices or provide them in a one to one program, as some schools do, the system your school utilizes could become digital and could show patterns and trends over time. Students would see bar graphs, and line graphs. They could have a more visual infographic of their own behavior over time. Great post!
ReplyDeleteStephanie-
DeleteThank you! Our system does work because it is the same across all settings and I feel that all of our teachers really believe in it as well. Students know the expectations no matter where they are and consistency is what our students need. I like your idea of using a visual info graph so that students can see their progress throughout a year or even throughout their time at our school. I'm sure the majority of them would see how well they have adapted and modified their behavior for the positive!
I like the idea of contracts for the students. We use contracts at my school for students that are struggling with behavior or work. I think that if all of the students were on this from the start, it might inspire more of them to stay on track.
ReplyDeleteKristine-
DeleteIt is a wonderful tool. We have three different contracts that students can be on depending on behavior so that it can fit everyone. Everyone starts out on our Intermediate contract at the beginning of the year which is just the standards rules for everyone. As the year progresses, students may request to be put on an Independent contract which allows for more freedom in that they do not need to get checks from their classes. Teachers can also request that students be put on an Individual contract which focuses more on specific behaviors that students need to work on targeting and they can get back to the Intermediate after they have met these personal goals. It has proven to be very successful for everyone!
Kori
I really like the idea of using a rubric to increase effort. When I taught science we had students self rate their lab reports. However, after a while it became evident that students were just checking boxes off the rubric and not really paying attention. To counter this behavior we added a peer rating compontent: Students rated their own work, then had a peer evaluate their work,were given time to make changes or improvements after the peer evaluation, then the work was finally graded by the teacher. This helped the effort a little bit.
ReplyDeleteAs key aspect of behaviorism is to give quick and concise feedback so student can link their behavior with the reinforcement. I like the idea that your school uses contracts. We do a similar practice to mentor behavior in our school. Rubrics are an excellent way to communicate standards and goals for students to understand exactly what they need to do to succeed.
ReplyDeleteJason