When a person practices behaviorism, he/she uses a system of rewards and punishments to achieve a desired behavior. Educators use behaviorist techniques almost daily in the classroom. Most of the time it is through the use of our behavior management plans, but sometimes it is evident in instructional techniques as well. The two strategies we read about this week, "reinforcing effort" and "homework and practice" both rely on a bit of behaviorism to make them work.
The first strategy, "reinforcing effort" talks about using spreadsheets and surveys to help students understand the correlation between the amount of effort put in and the grade received. "The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort enhances students' understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007, p. 155). Students see that by increasing effort they are rewarded with good grades. On the flip side, if effort is not put forth, the grades suffer. This directly correlates with the behaviorist theory.
The other strategy we read about was "homework and practice." We all know how important it is for students to practice what they are learning. The ideas given for using technology to assist with homework and practice align somewhat with the behaviorist theory. By using web-based tutorials and games, students are receiving positive reinforcement for correct answers and must redo exercises that are not completed successfully. In this lies rewards and punishments. The reward is getting to move on in the game, and the punishment is having to redo a level.
I have gained some valuable suggestions from both these strategies that I would like to try in my own classroom. However, one hurdle to using technology in homework assignments is the lack of Internet access in every child's home. Hopefully this will not be an issue in the next few years as more and more school systems are moving toward computer based textbooks and the goal of providing laptops for all students.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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I also teach in a district where the lack of Internet is a big issue. We even have quite a few students without a computer. I teach engineering in a computer lab and we use a computer everyday to do our assignments. The lack of technology at our students' homes makes assigning homework almost impossible. Computer based textbooks would be great, but I'm not sure how a lot of district will be able to afford them.
ReplyDeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteI agree that educators use behaviorist techniques on a daily basis to ensure positive behavior in the classroom.
I think it is important to teach students about effort and what it means to put forth a good amount of effort in order to see a positive result, which would be achievement. The students would be punishing themselves by not putting forth effort to receive an "award" of good grades.
I think it is important for students to feel successful. When students are playing web-based games, it is important to provide students with assignments that are on their instructional level so that they do not feel overwhelmed and unsuccessful. I also see your point that a reward in the game is being able to move onto another level while the punishment would be having to redo the level. This also provides reinforcement/practice so that students want to work hard to be able to move on to more challenging activities.
I too face the same problem of students lacking Internet access at home. Our school does not provide laptops for students so this does make it difficult. I try to implement web-based practice sessions for my students on a weekly basis, especially in math.
Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteIs it the lack of computers at home, or the lack of connection to the internet, that keeps your students from using web-based programs? What a shame that some of your students cannot take advantage of the wonderful technology out there. Of course, there are always the "old school" ways of doing practice and drill at home. Do you ever have them go home and prepare in some way, to use the programs at school the next day? Do you have computers inside of the classroom or do you take your students to a computer lab?
Jennifer:
ReplyDeleteYour point about some students not having computers or internet access at home is an important one. We have what we call homework helpers before and after school for about an hour 3 days a week. This allows students to come in and get extra help or user the computers to finish homework, etc. Of course, students who ride the bus and cannot arrange other transportation sometimes do not have this option. With the cost of computers coming down dramatically we can only hope that we get closer to that 100% of students having computer and internet access at home.
Chris Lorenz
I have found that most of our kids have a computer, but not all have internet access. Therefore, I do not assign homework that relies on the internet. However, I do share web0sites with my students and parents and encourage them to explore at home. I have an assigned computer time once a week, but we are encouraged to use the lab as much as we can. In January, when our middle school moves into their new building, we will have an additional lab. I can't wait because this means I can utilize the lab even more.
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