I would have to agree with Dr. Orey on his perspective of behaviorism in our classrooms and with use of technology. He made some valid points about how operant conditioning still is going on within the learning environment, even though psychologist has deemed it a dead issue. I was thinking on the ways that I use operant conditioning and recently our school has developed a privilege list for those students who carry C's in all their classes, have perfect attendance and have not had a behavior write up. These students who achieve this are rewarded with certain privileges for example, access to the break room, mp3 players during non-instructional time, computer lab passes and cell phone usage at lunch. Our school itself has an established a behavioral atmosphere that students are conditioned to follow if they want a positive reward.
To continue with the discussion, I know in my classroom I find that I use behaviorism in my lessons on a daily basis. As I give out instructional assignments for example a worksheet on why the Roman Empire fell, the students may not receive the next worksheet about the Byzantine Empire until they have 75% or better. Students are allowed to re-submit their work until this grade is achieved. Now I do not do this for all assignments but, if I feel that the information is an important part of the section that's when I use this type of conditioning. For those students who do get the a 75% or higher in the first try they are rewarded verbally and their names immediately are posted on the board. I use these types of experience like a game show. It can be very exciting at times and the students encourage those who do not make it the first time. It becomes one big peer tutoring lesson and those kids strive hard to get their names announced and posted on the board.
As far as technology goes, Dr. Orey "hit the nail right on the head' when he talks about using mechanism like tutorial videos, text, or animation to condition students when they are using technology. Again, our district is introducing a new credit recovery system that clearly demonstrates this type of higher learning through technology. This on-line learning experience is a classic case of behaviorism. Students in order to move on to the next section of the course will only be rewarded if they pass that section. These students will be led through a series of tutorials and then will be conditioned by passing at an acceptable rate in order to continue through to the next section. Of course there will be some negative responses to the stimulus if they do not reach the accepted level to move on, but hopefully this will motivate them to try harder to reach the next positive reward.
I personally love the idea of using technology as way to condition students in a positive manner. I have used web-quests that I have designed or have borrowed from other instructors. In world history web-quest are a very positive tool not only for learning the material but to give students a positive experience with technology. I usually turn them into a light hearted competition and the students are put into cooperative teams. Each students is given a particular role so they have ownership with their teams. I have also used time lines and concept maps in a similar fashion. Each have there place throughout my history classes and it is a good break from the usu all routine.
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After reading your post I found your credit recovery program at your school to be interesting. It made me start pondering where we will be heading in education during the 21st century? I think that having the students use computers for a credit recovery can be a great tool to utilize. Technology can be a great way to improve the quality and clarity of the lesson that a teacher is using to educate their students. I think having animation, text, and tutorial videos should be provided to the students with every lesson. Students in credit recovery are the students that need the most help and attention, and I believe that by providing them every learning opportunity possible they will have the tools to succeed.
ReplyDeleteYet, there is a side of me that sees a downside to this. I am fearful that some teachers will become lazy and put less emphasis on building a lesson geared toward the needs of the students. They may just rely on the tutorial video to teach the students, and if the students are confused they might play it again. This would hurt the students' education, and lead to other slippery slopes. Such as, what if online text, tutorials, and animation begin to eliminate teaching positions. I understand it would be a long shot. Yet, school districts in financial trouble may begin increase class sizes, and justify it by saying the teachers have 21st centruy technology to assist them with teaching the lessons. Scary? I'm probably over analyzling the situation. Do you think that any of these scenerios could take place?
Rodney,
ReplyDeleteYou're right, students should have a positive experience when using technology in conenction with learning. It sounds like you have a ton of great ideas when it comes to having students earn rewards in your classroom. Also, I like your activity using web quests and having the students work in cooperative teams.
Educational Technology, such as tutorials and other software programs are good because students can choose different "settings" to work in. I think that technology allows us to individualize instruction even more. Students can be wrorking on different things at once and get the immediate feedback they need. I also think that students feel if they don't succeed when using technology thet have more opportunities to try again or to figure something out. They aren't as afraid to play around with it until they get the right answer. Where as without using technology, they might not have as many opportunities to try different things or change things to see how it might come out different.
I enjoyed reading about your webquest. I created a webquest when I was in school for my bachelors, and really would like to create another one with my students. I teach kindergarten, but would love to take on the challenge of creating one with them.
ReplyDeleteI love history, and plan to teach it at the high schoo/college level one day. It sounds like you make history exciting by incorporating various teaching styles. Good for you! I have had history teachers who taught straight from a text book and worksheets.
Also - just curious -does your profile pic mean you are a GA Tech fan? I live in GA and love college football. I am an Alabama fan, but enjoy watching the SEC, and have been paying close attention to the ACC the past several years. That conference is growing in competition.
Thanks!
Amorea