I think that what correlates with behaviorists and the strategies we learned about this week was that most of them leant themselves to positive reinforcement. By using spreadsheets or keeping any other type of charts about reinforcement students can actually see a correlation between their behavior and what they are allowed to do and what they are not.
I also think that by encouraging homework and practice educators are reinforcing student’s behavior positively. If a student does not get an assignment it needs to be redone or they need to do even more exploring so that they can understand the ideas that are trying to be conveyed to them in class.
I have found, on a personal level, that any online homework that I assign is met with excitement in my classroom. Students feel “free” when they are allowed to use a resource that they are familiar with. What they don’t understand is that the resource they are using is a very powerful reinforcement tool if used correctly. Technology, especially internet access, allows students glimpses into educational worlds they would otherwise never get to see. The more they explore the more education they crave and the more they learn.
Eric, I agree with you that the strategies that were present in our resources this week relate to behaviorism through using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. I think that struggling students especially will benefit from the spread sheets because if they see that they are improving and all of their hard work is paying off they will be more likely to keep it up. I think that sometimes our students are unable to notice their improvement during a period. I think that keeping a portfolio for the students so that they can see their growth as well it a really good idea as well. I love that you excited your students into doing their homework by letting them choose the medium in which they are allow to complete it in is very creative.
Absolutely, the more technological experience we give them, the more excited they are to complete the assignment!! Many of these technological experiences, espeically interactive internet activities, will give positive reinforcement- which directly relates to behaviorism. I remember learning from another class that the more technology we expose them to the more prepared they will be for the work force. We need to keep our students competitive in the world!!
Eric, What types of homework assignments do you give that involve technology? I know we have discussed in the past that some students don't have access to technology at home. How do you accommodate them with the assignment? In your assignments are you assigning new content to be mastered or older content that is there for review? I agree that students do show a huge level of enthusiasm for anything to do with technology. I think it does lead to more mastery, my question is more in how do you best apply it to the classroom.
Eric, I think that using the internet for assignments is reinforcing in itself. In going with the behaviorist theory, I think that using positive reinforcement helps to get the desired response. You want them to complete the assignment (desired response) so you give them an assigment using the internet which is rewarding. Great idea.
I have the luxury of having a mini computer lab in my classroom. I will allow students time in class to complete the blog assignments I require of my students. More recently, I have started to incorporate a podcast/blog assignment that the students are really into. I use blogs mainly as ways to frontload my students, while podcasts generally introduce new material to them or supplement what we are going over in class.
My new goal is to podcast a trial of my own class so others can analyze it in another class; acting as the jury. It should be interesting. Those are some of the things I do. I do make my online assignment deadlines much more flexible than regular assignment deadlines. It is a pain for me, but the upside is well worth it.
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I think that what correlates with behaviorists and the strategies we learned about this week was that most of them leant themselves to positive reinforcement. By using spreadsheets or keeping any other type of charts about reinforcement students can actually see a correlation between their behavior and what they are allowed to do and what they are not.
ReplyDeleteI also think that by encouraging homework and practice educators are reinforcing student’s behavior positively. If a student does not get an assignment it needs to be redone or they need to do even more exploring so that they can understand the ideas that are trying to be conveyed to them in class.
I have found, on a personal level, that any online homework that I assign is met with excitement in my classroom. Students feel “free” when they are allowed to use a resource that they are familiar with. What they don’t understand is that the resource they are using is a very powerful reinforcement tool if used correctly. Technology, especially internet access, allows students glimpses into educational worlds they would otherwise never get to see. The more they explore the more education they crave and the more they learn.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the strategies that were present in our resources this week relate to behaviorism through using positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors. I think that struggling students especially will benefit from the spread sheets because if they see that they are improving and all of their hard work is paying off they will be more likely to keep it up. I think that sometimes our students are unable to notice their improvement during a period. I think that keeping a portfolio for the students so that they can see their growth as well it a really good idea as well. I love that you excited your students into doing their homework by letting them choose the medium in which they are allow to complete it in is very creative.
Absolutely, the more technological experience we give them, the more excited they are to complete the assignment!! Many of these technological experiences, espeically interactive internet activities, will give positive reinforcement- which directly relates to behaviorism. I remember learning from another class that the more technology we expose them to the more prepared they will be for the work force. We need to keep our students competitive in the world!!
ReplyDeleteEric,
ReplyDeleteWhat types of homework assignments do you give that involve technology? I know we have discussed in the past that some students don't have access to technology at home. How do you accommodate them with the assignment? In your assignments are you assigning new content to be mastered or older content that is there for review? I agree that students do show a huge level of enthusiasm for anything to do with technology. I think it does lead to more mastery, my question is more in how do you best apply it to the classroom.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteI think that using the internet for assignments is reinforcing in itself. In going with the behaviorist theory, I think that using positive reinforcement helps to get the desired response. You want them to complete the assignment (desired response) so you give them an assigment using the internet which is rewarding. Great idea.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteI have the luxury of having a mini computer lab in my classroom. I will allow students time in class to complete the blog assignments I require of my students. More recently, I have started to incorporate a podcast/blog assignment that the students are really into. I use blogs mainly as ways to frontload my students, while podcasts generally introduce new material to them or supplement what we are going over in class.
My new goal is to podcast a trial of my own class so others can analyze it in another class; acting as the jury. It should be interesting. Those are some of the things I do. I do make my online assignment deadlines much more flexible than regular assignment deadlines. It is a pain for me, but the upside is well worth it.