This week we explored instructional strategies that incorporated technology and we had to consider how they relate to the behaviorist learning theory.
I would like to first mention that I was very happy at the level of math in this week’s resources. The ideas and examples presented were finally using high school level math. It has been rare for me to get examples from class and in books that are in my subject and level. There were ideas presented this week that I could actually take and use exactly how they were described and use them tomorrow in class, no adjustments or modifications necessary, this usually doesn’t happen for me and I am very excited.
The Behaviorist learning theory focuses on rewards/punishments, stimulus/response and stresses the need for reinforcements. One of the strategies that was discussed this week was in the area of practice. The tutorials or guided learning/practice, either on-line or with software, was described in the examples and in the links provided in the resources this week. Not only does this integrate the use of technology but it relates to the behaviorist learning theory. Dr. Orey describes an important part of behaviorism, “As with all teaching methods, success depends on each student’s stimulus and response and on associations made by each learner” (Orey, 2001). The use of multimedia for guided instruction accomplishes this by allowing each learner to work at their own pace, on their own level, use different learning styles and receive immediate feedback and reinforcement. This correlated closely to the behaviorist approach.
Reinforcing effort using spreadsheets was another strategy that used technology and relates to the Behaviorist learning theory. This example allowed students to learn about technology (spreadsheets), content (for me, Statistics), and their own behavior (benefits of effort). Reinforcement is a major idea in behaviorism, if you reinforce a behavior it is more likely that a person will learn it. When a teacher does an activity such as this one, they will be reinforcing effort and the students will see that if they put in the effort then they will succeed. The use of spreadsheets to organize, graph, and analyze the effects of effort on achievement is integrated effortlessly and really enhances the learning experience.
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References
Orey, M.(Ed.). (2001). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/
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Vicky,
ReplyDeleteIt can be very frustrating when the resources don't appear to have direct application to your subject area and grade level. It is nice that there is such a direct correlation for you with the statistics and spreadsheet programs. While these areas may not correlate with me directly in a subject area, they certainly do in the area of increasing student effort. I really liked this strategy because I often feel like many students like to place the blame for their achievement in inappropriate areas. It is easy for many of them to say things like they are just not good at something, it's not fair, or it is too hard. This strategey really does appear to have a behaviorist approach because it clearly demonstrates that effort pays off in higher achievement. This realization can provide the stimulus students need to put forth more effort.
Jenny
Vicky
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I think it is important to put concrete evidence in the students hands on a timely basis. I am going to try and be better at this. If the students have a way to track their activity level on a weekly or even a daily basis this will head off many future problems and could be especially useful in a parent conference if you have the students own record of their activity and involvement.