When it comes to applying behaviorist methods in the classroom, I believe that teachers must be very careful. According to Dr. Orey (2001), there are both positive and negative aspects to behaviorism, especially when technology is involved. When choosing which methods to use, I believe that teachers must keep in mind that the most effective aspect of behaviorism is reinforcement, which can be very powerful, as Dr. Orey points out (2001). Educational technology can help make reinforcement methods even more powerful, as they allow students to spend more time “increasing their conceptual understanding of skills or processes” through a variety of different software, applications, and web resources, among other things (Pitler, et al., 2007, p. 196).
For example, in this week’s course text, the authors described the use of web resources as a method of reinforcing classroom ideas both in and out of the classroom, as homework. The most important aspect of homework is that it is designed to be done outside of class. When a child needs at least twenty-four practice sessions with a skill before it is mastered, teachers must utilize the time children spend outside of school to reach that goal (Pitler, et al., 2007). Educational online games can provide this practice with skills, and are “appealing” to students while providing “immediate feedback” to the student and monitoring adults (Pitler, et al. 2007, p. 195). Even with my young kindergarten students, this form of reinforcement is easily attainable. When reinforcing classroom information is this easy, this engaging and exciting for students, and this simple for teachers and parents to monitor, technology becomes an amazing tool in helping increase the likelihood that students will achieve and continue to achieve academic success. This increase in the likelihood of a desired behavior is, of course, an idea central to behaviorism.
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Hi Erin,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you and using the educational online games to provide practice for the students. As a kindergarten teacher, do you find it more difficult to keep your students off of the computer, are they always wanting to be on it playing the littl games? As a middle school woodshop teacher, I only use one game for drilling purposes. It is a really cool ruler game where the students are looking at a standard ruler and the computer gives them a measurement and they have to quickly find the measurement on the ruler. What I really love most about this game is that it also works with speed. Before you know it, the students are locating measurements faster than when they started.
Erin,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are a kindergarten teacher! I can't wait to hear how you integrate technology with your kindergarten students. The youngest students I teach computer to is 2nd grade, so I'm interested in younger grades and technology.
One of the age groups I believe benefits from the behaviorist learning theory is with younger students. The younger student is making so many new discoveries, it seems to me that reinforcement of the desired behavior would work well with your younger students. Usually they are eager to learn and eager to please. Do you find this to be true?
Erin,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree that students need to reinforce the concepts that they learn in the classroom, outside of school through engaging homework activities. The educational on-line games that you mentioned are wonderful resources for students to use to increase their knowledge base. However, I am hesitant to assign students homework that can only be completed on the computer because I know that not all of my students have access to computers at home. I post links to educational sites on my classroom webpage for students to access for enrichment purposes while outside of the classroom. In addition, I provide my students with an opportunity to access these sites in the classroom when they have completed their work. Do you find yourself in this situation as well? If so, how are you able to overcome this setback? Thanks again.
Heather Streb
Erika,
ReplyDeleteMy students love using computers, which is why I feel so fortunate that my school has several computer labs that allow me to take my students to the lab daily. Yes, they always want to play games, but I've found several websites that are educationally based and allow for reinforcement through play. What I really like about working with this age group, though, is that they're just learning how to navigate the computer. So no matter what they might be doing on the computer, they are gaining important skills. At this age, computer use is really more about exposure than academics.
Denise,
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started this master's program, I was so panicked because I had no idea how I was ever going to do this with kindergartners! But I really have learned a lot and I would love to share my ideas! Thanks for your interest!
It's interesting that you say that you think behaviorism works well for younger students. I think the opposite...I think it works better for older students! Yes, reinforcement is important, but behaviorism relies on punishments and rewards to do this, which I disagree with. Young students need to understand the impact of their choices, and simple reinforcement is not enough. I really believe in William Glasser's Choice Theory works best. Are you familiar with it?
Heather,
ReplyDeleteI teach in a low-income district, so yes, I have the same issues when it comes to requiring the use of computers at home. The only way I can get around this is by providing daily computer lab time. My school has 3 labs, so this is possible. What is the computer situation at your school?
Erin,
ReplyDeleteThat so interesting that we each think the other's situation would be easier. Isn't that so typical of humans. The grass is always greener...
I haven't heard of William Glasser's Choice Theory, but I'm assuming that one choice would be not to do something and face the consequences of that choice. I agree punishment isn't the best choice, but their are consequences to actions and sometimes those consequences have a negative nature to them.
Denise,
ReplyDeleteChoice Theory is based on the idea that we all have basic needs (for power, love and belonging, freedom, and fun), and every choice we make is an attempt to meet one of those needs. When a child makes a "bad" choice, he must understand why that choice hurts him and doesn't help him get what he wants. Instead of throwing a punishment at the child for making a bad choice, I work with the child to determine what it was he was trying to get and a better way to get it. It's all about working through the problem and finding a solution, and not just about reinforcement. That being said, there are some non-negotiables that do have necessary consequences, like you point out, such as serious rule breaking (fighting, weapons, cheating, etc.).
Erin, great ideas! I really think it is important to encourage students to practice skills at home on the computer. But, again, it is difficult to enforce this when many do not have access. Even in my classroom, I assign computer related homework and many time have to "excuse" certain kids, because they do not have access. Good ideas!
ReplyDelete