Behaviorism in Practice

Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works discusses two strategies that will help students acquire and integrate learning. These two strategies are reinforcing effort and homework and practice. Reinforcing effort focuses on teaching the students the importance of effort and having students keep track of their effort. Homework and practice should deepen a student's understanding and help him become proficient with skills.

Dr. Orey explains behaviorist theory as operant conditioning. It involves two parts: reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement is more powerful. At one time programmed instruction was a method used to reinforce, but has morphed into the online tutorial. Using tutorials conditions students by presenting small amounts of information, guiding questions, and rewarding the correct answer.

One such tutorial or remediation program I have used is the web-based program Study Island for Algebra 2. The students take a pretest then have each of the PA State Standards in mathemtics they must complete a certain proficiency level. They are rewarded based on their percent proficiency with white or blue ribbons and "labeled" with BB, B, P, or A (Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, Advanced). The students have the opportunity to look at hints to their questions and to review a lesson. The students must continue the standard until they have earned the white or blue ribbon. A similar skills resource for English I reviewed was the English Grammar 101. Students practice basic grammar skills such as verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. If the question is answered correctly the highlight area changes to blue. If it is incorrect, a red "X" appears. A score appears at the top of the page.

Tracking effort is another method for reinforcing proper behaviors in the classroom. I plan to use a track sheet that the students will keep on a weekly basis. Each day the students have an opportunity to earn points for the behaviors that are suppose to be exhibited such as coming to class on time, completing the warm-up, participating by answering questions and actively engaged in the classwork. Each week this sheets will be collected and points tallied. As the text described an effort rubric and recording the effort in an Excell spreadsheet, I could do something similar and have students keep track of their progress.

These instructional strategies are still very useful in the classroom, but not as the only instructional strategies. Students still need to know the purpose of learning the material and will have to apply these new skills to the real-world.