I believe behaviorism-based learning is important in every classroom. However, I do not believe it should be the only learning theory used. In the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works I read two chapters that relate to using behaviorist learning theories in the classroom.
One of these chapters was called Reinforcing Effort. It is hard to show students effort and I often struggle with this. The chapter mentioned using rubrics and graphs to show students data. I teach 4th grade students and I believe using a rubric and spreadsheet to track effort would be very effective. I think it would really benefit my students and help show that the effort they put forth is reflected in their grades. I often hear myself saying that but it never seems to stick. I think that showing them using rubrics, graphs, and spreadsheets would be much more effective. This strategy relates to the behaviorists learning theories because it reinforces and punishes students when they analyze their effort and grades. I plan to use this in the future.
The chapter called "Homework and Practice" was also useful. I believe homework should be used in every classroom and at all levels of education. Homework is the most effective when the students can do the majority of it independently. Homework is not something for the child's parent to do. It is important for the student to practice the skill in order for them to become proficient. I found the information in the book about using technology to practice to be very helpful, however most my students to not have the capabilities to do this at school or at home. I hope to use the technology ideas provided in the chapter as part of my classroom instruction to reinforce skills. This strategy relates to the behaviorists learning theories because it allows the students to practice what they have learned and receive positive or negative feedback.
Book Source Information:
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Tuesday Slice of Life
1 day ago
4th Grade sounds like a wonderful grade to teach! You mentioned you keep telling yourself to use the charts but it never seems to stick. Since the year is almost over, maybe you can try to make some type of rubric so the students can base their effort on more of a numerical chart to see where they stand. In 4th grade they may all think they put forth the most effort, but really they do not. I feel if they had more of a base to look for, and small goals to achieve then they can truly understand what effort means.
ReplyDeleteAfter you see what does and does not work, you can base your findings on the charts for next year!
http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/
Here is a link for a site for charts. There are a few cool ones!
Best of Luck!
The link you provided looks very helpful. Thanks for sharing this website.
ReplyDeleteI think asking my students to reach for small goals will help them understand effort. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I agree with the idea that the behaviorist learning theory is not the only way to go. Student engagement and differentiated instruction is also a must.
ReplyDeleteI feel that your statement about homework is correct. I agree that homework is meant to be practice of the skills that have already been taught in the classroom. I also believe that homework is practice for the students, and not the parents. It is hard because with homework, students do not have any way of checking their work. They do not get reinforced for correct answers or feedback when they made a mistake, like they would get with using technology related to the behaviorist theory. I know some parents help their children and check over their work before they send it back to school, but some do not have the parental support. Since, as you said, many families do not have technology to use at home either, I thought about what could be done so that students can still practice the important skills without using technology while also having the reinforcement that they need. I was thinking that maybe creating some game bags that could be sent home with students so that they could practice important skills would work. Then, students could still check their work while they were at home with an answer key of some sort. This would make practice fun also, and not just drilling students on some skills with worksheets. I am not sure if something like this would work for you or not, though.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Rogus,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your idea about using game bags as a way to practice and reinforce skills. I think this is a great idea. It would also be something that the student could do independently. My students always enjoy playing games in the classroom, but I never thought about sending them home.