Displaying Principles of Behaviorist
Learning Theories
According to a behaviorist perspective on
learning, a response to an external stimulus is how a learner obtains
behaviors, skills, and knowledge (Lever-Duffy and McDonald, 2008). Positive and
negative reinforcements, punishments, extinctions, and behaviors modifications
are associated with this stimulus-response way of learning. This principle of
behaviorist learning theory is evident in modern-day classroom. Instructional
strategies used by the teachers, administrators, and other teaching
professionals include operant conditioning, in order to encourage expected
behaviors and diminish behaviors, which are less desirable (Strandridge, 2002).
As described by Dr. Michael Oreg (Laureate Education, Inc., 2012) in the video,
“Behaviorist Learning Theory,” programmed instruction is practiced within the
classroom, as well, through online learning.
In
the beginning of each year, teachers and administrators set rules and
expectations for all students to follow and abide by. Included with these
guidelines are always reinforcements and punishments, which are enforced
following a certain behavior. In my own classroom, students are introduced to
the classroom behavior and work expectations. If a particular student follows
the directions of the classroom and school, they are rewarded with positive and
negative reinforcements, such as a positive progress report or exemptions from
exams. Unruly or misbehaved students will receive punishments, for example
lunch detention or a negative phone call/letter home. These rules are
implemented so that the learning environment is effective, and classroom
management is set into place. This behaviorist way of thinking assures student
success in learning and behaviors in and out of the classroom. It is known that
students are eager to please and, deep down inside, they all want to behave in
such ways that bring positive feeling.
More often then not, reinforcements and
punishments train the students in certain life skills in the social and working
world. They practice and understand the difference between behaviors, which are
acceptable and those, which are unacceptable. Currently, our district has put into place, an attendance
policy for the school year. Students who exceed 16 unexcused absences must make
up their lost days by attending a two-week summer program in July. This is not
meant to set a negative tone to the environment, but to teach the students that
attendance matters in school; therefore, creating a habit for the work-world
ahead. Recently, a student of mine as informed that he will be left back for
next year because of his failing classes. This student was devastated even
though he was warned several times of this consequence if he did not pull his
grades up. Needless to say, after speaking with the student, he indicated that
he learned his lesson and understands that his actions, or lack thereof, were
unacceptable. This is a classic example of how negative consequences could
redirect or correct a student’s undesirable behavior.
During teaching instruction, these same
behaviorist-learning theories are practiced. The teacher models or chooses a
student to model expectations during a lesson or even within the lesson itself.
Showing the students how to organize their work or how to use certain
procedures to complete their work is modeling. The teacher is creating a
tutorial for the students to follow. In turn, the students who follow this
model will be rewarded with praise, smiles, good grades, and higher
self-esteem; hence the response. On the other hand, students who do now follow
the model without creating a successful one of their own will be replied with a
“punishment”. This may include a bad grade, negative responses, or other
disapproving consequences.
I could not express enough how many times I use
the principles of the behaviorist learning theory in my classroom. It works
indefinitely and is effective in all aspects of teaching and learning within
the classroom and outside of the classroom. Sometimes good comes out of your
actions, and other times, bad comes out of your actions. Either way, we learn
from our successes and from our mistakes. It is a natural process.
Jacquelyn
Caliente
An
Empowering and inspiring video:
This
video talks about Behaviorist Learning Theory Effects in the Classroom: (a bit
monotone, but worth the 5 minutes of your time!)
Click here to play fun games, which implements a trial-and-error
strategy of learning:
Resources:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2012). Behaviorist
learning theory [video webcast].
Bridging
learning, instruction, and technology. Retrieved May 8, 2012 from
26id%3D_550904_1%26url%3D
Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical
foundations (Laureate Education,
Inc.,
custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Strandridge, M.. (2002). Behaviorism. In M. Orey (Ed.),
Emerging perspectives on
learning,
teaching, and technology. Retrieved May 8, 2012 from
http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt
Jacquelyn,
ReplyDeleteYour examples of the behaviorist learning theory in the modern-day classroom are true. Teachers use Operant Conditioning to encourage expected behavior and diminish unwanted behaviors. We are teaching and reinforcing behaviors that are acceptable and not acceptable socially, and in the work place.
Jacquelyn,
ReplyDeleteI noticed the same thing when I was researching and learning more about behaviorism. It is something that I was taught when I went through college, but it is not something that I actively think about when teaching. Again looking at what behaviorism actually is made me realize just how often we use it in the classroom. Thanks for providing those links. I appreciated checking those resources out.
Jacquelyn,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned above that "reinforcements and punishments train the students in certain life skills in the social and working world." I think that is a great way of thinking about behaviorism in the classroom! We as teachers have the responsibility to teach our students a set of skills and pass on knowledge, but we are also responsible for preparing them for life after school. And life after school is full of reinforcements and punishments. If you come to work and do your job well you might get a raise, or if you fail to meet a dead line you might have to work overtime. These things can and should be taught to our students and what better way to do that than by using the behaviorist methods in our classrooms. Students today, I feel, have a sense of entitlement when it comes to their efforts. They demand rewards for every little thing they do and accomplish. However, in the real world life does not always reward of for every little effort. Using the behaviorist theory affectively can model for students which behaviors are indeed worthy of a reward and which behaviors are not. Thank you for sharing such great ideas and resources on this topic!
Jacquelyn,
ReplyDeleteI am curious to hear more about how your school uses the behaviorist learning theory to change behaviors regarding students’ attendance. This is a huge issue in the high school that I currently teach in and I do not believe that our policy is working. Our students are not allowed to have more than 10 unexcused absences in a semester or they lose credit for the class and must take it over. Most students do not get the full ramifications of this policy until it is too late and they are behind in credits toward graduation. I am curious about what your school does to get students to learn from their behavior of missing school. How does the two week summer class work? Are they making up for content they missed in specific classes? Is it something the students and their families have to fund themselves or is it funded by the school district? I know that students in my high school do not seem to understand the consequences until they have lost credit, is there a way your school interjects to correct their negative behaviors before it is too late?
After 10 unexcussed absences, the parent is contacted and informed. The Law indicated that the students must be in school, and our middle schools want every student to be consistently present in school to succeed. The Laws have certain rules and regulations concerning absentees. If they receive more days than allowed, they will be retained in the current grade. A 10 day program is held in the summer for those whose parents appeal the overextended absences and a contract is signed.
Delete