The following post will explore the correlation between behaviorism and two instructional strategies: reinforcing effort and homework/practice. Although behaviorism has fallen out of favor in recent years, I believe it still has a place in todays’ classroom as demonstrated by the following two examples.
As effort is the most important factor in achievement (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Then reinforcing effort enhances student’ understanding of the relationship between the effort put forth and the achievement they obtain. Utilizing spreadsheet software such as Excel for tracking student effort can be a powerful tool in showing progress over time. Graphs and charts allow student to see visual representation of their efforts verses their final grade. A second way of reinforcing effort is with the use of rewards for demonstrating appropriate knowledge. Most Internet games are based on this scoring principal for demonstrating mastery. The better your score, the higher your name goes up the scoreboard. If you get the puzzle correct, a cute song plays and the puzzle does a little dance. If they complete an adventure, they earn website credits to spend in the on-line store. Reinforcing effort is a good way to help students stay motivated and self-confident in their successes.
Homework and practice provide opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the content and gain proficiency with their skills (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Most would agree that providing practice is essential for student learning. However, some may use homework or practice as a punishment for unsuitable behaviors such as writing a sentence twenty times or looking up and copying definitions. The utilization of homework or practice as a negative aspect to the students learning will only cause the student to become disinterested and create a dislike of the subject (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010). James Hartley believed repetition to be an important component in the learning process. He stated that frequent practice, and practice in varied contexts – is necessary for learning to take place (Smith, 1999). I agree with strongly that the more varied the context delivery, the better the learning for the student. Homework should be an extension of the learning taking place in the classroom, not as a means of punishing the student. Technology can support teacher in their homework endeavors by allowing for better student tracking and easier out-of-school access to other professionals and peers. Through the utilization of on-line shared docs, email, text, and video stream the homework becomes less isolated and more integrated into the lesson. These tools can help teachers provide homework that is more meaningful to the learner. The use of technology also supports the student by allowing students to work in a familiar medium, utilize more creativity in their assignments, take on more responsibility for their own learning, and practice 21st century skills needed for today’s workforce.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010a). Program 4: Behaviorist Learning Theory [Webcast]. Understanding the impact of technology on education, work, and society. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Smith, K. (1999). The behaviorist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm
I agree that we as teachers, shouldn't present homework as a punishment, but I'm not completely sure how to do that. I don't give a huge amount of homework in my middle school health class, but when I do, a significant percentage of my students don't turn it in, or do a half-hearted job. Then, when earn a poor partipation grade for the semester, they act surprised. This is where I think integrating an Excel chart to monitor effort (including turning in homework of course) will be quite valuable. Students will be engaged in and physically see how much effort they are really putting in.
ReplyDeleteUtilizing the Excel chart is an excellent way for students to track their efforts towards homework in relationship to the grade received at the end of the semester. Whether the outcome has a positive or negative correlation between the two, the students should be able to see the connection. Over time, most students will begin to see the more effort put forth into completing their homework equates to a higher grade.
ReplyDeleteAs discussed in Using Technology with classroom instruction that Works, if the homework policy is established and communicated, the assignments clearly articulate the purpose and outcome, and varied approaches are used to provide feedback then the practice should enhance the learner’s proficiency (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). If the practice is meaningful and somewhat enjoyable, the students will not be as hesitant to put forth the effort in completing the task. I also think that family involvement plays a large part in student’s attitudes toward learning and practicing. Families that make the space and time for quality homework as well as stress the importance of daily practice will help students develop the study habits needed for being successful learners.
Reference
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
I firmly believe that students must understand the connection between effort and learning, it truly makes a difference as to what they are able to achieve in their studies and in life. The point you make about practice being enjoyable and meaningful is very neat. Meaning that creating understanding to back behavior reinforcement is a great way to create behavior change. Your entry has so many valid points its difficult to keep up with all of them, the last favorite of mine was about family and how they have to make an importance of homework and practice in order for it to be a successful practice.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading the original post as well as the comments, I was floored that actual homework would be used as a punishment, and then teachers wonder why students do not want to do it.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if devising a gaming website (not a homework site) that allows students to "compete" against each other in various skill games would encourage more homework participation. It would develop skill practice while at the same time allowing the sociability of gaming. You could even devise a "tournament level" or create teams. If lack of technology was a problem, I would think this could be done even without computers.