Behavorists learning theories focus on the idea of reinforcing positive and redirecting negative bahaviors. While reviewing this week's material, the instructional strategies discussed focused on much of the same goal. In order to achieve the greatest amount of success in a collaborative learning environment within my classroom, I must have 100% effort from each one of my students. In order to achieve this effort, I must continuously work to reinforce their positive efforts with rewards and or verbal praise. Students of all ages like to be publically acknowledged for their accomplishments. Therefore, as I see effort in my classroom being applied to both homework and class discussions, it is essential to follow the lead of the behaviorists learning theories and reward this behavior.
However, the opposite also holds true. When I fail to see effort from my students such as not completing homework, classwork, or actively participating in class discussions and activities, I must work to redirect this behavior through reinforcing the positives. Once students realize their effort will be recognized and rewarded, I am more likely to obtain the desired results of increase effort in the classroom.
When analyzing the behaviorists learning theories, I recognized the need to modify my rewards to fit the needs of my students. Some students respond to simple verbal acknolwedgement and praise, however, others may require a more tangible reward such as a homework pass, lunch brought in from outside of school, or simply becoming the teacher assistant.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Fred,
ReplyDeleteIn fourth grade, I find that all of my students love getting praise from the teacher. As I have talked with high school teachers in the past, I have heard that many students feel the opposite when they receive praise from teachers, in that they are embarrassed at being praised in front of their peers. Do you ever see that in your classroom? From your blog it sounds as if most of your students respond positively to verbal praise.
Allison
Hello Mr. Ashford,
ReplyDeleteI really liked what you had to say and I do agree with you about seeing how students react to verbal praises. I am a kindergarten teacher and you should see their faces when they receive praise. My only suggestion that I might give to you is this. Be very careful with the rewards of those students who you said only need verbal praise. When those students see that you are going out of your way and giving something more to those students who do not always do their homework. I can see the ones who do their homework quickly changing their tune a little bit. They might stop doing their work just to get your attention or receive more of a praise from you.
Fred,
ReplyDeleteI also find that the reaction of students to certain rewards depends on the level of math that I am teaching. Grades do not seem to matter as much to my lower level students, whereas the higher level students do not want to receive a bad grade.