There are many instructional strategies that have emerged as a result of researches that examine the effects of instruction on learning; and that the teacher has tremendous effect on student achievement depending on his choice of teaching strategy and approach (Marzano, Pickering, and Pollock, 2001). These strategies which can also be viewed on http://www.marzanoresearch.com/research/researched_strategies.aspx , when used in a technology rich classroom, will not only enhance student learning but will also increase motivation and improve critical thinking and problem solving skills (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). The site http://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/844 contains many other sites that specify how to integrate technology using Marzano’s instructional strategies.
The instructional strategy of reinforcing effort helps students understand the need to work on their beliefs and attitudes about learning so that they begin to see the benefit of putting effort in their work. It is a general consensus that the best mechanism to effect positive change in the learner is through positive reinforcement which is one of the mechanisms of the behaviorist learning theory (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a). When a learner is reinforced for well-doing, he is motivated to want to do better and the resultant effect is that he begins to put more effort in his work and to repeat the behavior he was rewarded for.
Bearing in mind that it is not all the students in a classroom that sees the need to put effort in their work, it is important for the teacher to educate them about the rewards of efforts by involving them in using technology like the spreadsheet software to grade themselves using a rubric the teacher has prepared alongside the students both for classroom and homework assignments (Pitler et al, 2007). As they score, they will see where and how they can improve their skills or response to the question because they are aware of the teacher’s expectations which are clearly stated. Another way that the students will be motivated to do better is when the teacher offer praises for work well done and gives encouragement for the ones that are not well done.
Homework and practice strategy is when learners are given the chance to revise, review and master through application what they have learned in school (Pitler et al, 2007). Practice is important in learning as elaborated in http://www.netc.org/focus/strategies/home.php because it helps the brain make useful connections and strengthen them which can easily be reactivated when needed (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011b). When students are exposed to the same learning over time, they become more proficient in the knowledge of the content and in the acquisition of required skills. Since according to behaviorists, all behaviors are habits that are learned over time Standridge, 2008), homework and practice instructional strategy, makes it easy for students to form a habit of being studious, meticulous and proficient.
Even as a teacher, the more I practice my math concepts, the more enthusiastic and confident I become in passing the same knowledge to my students with various ideas of instructional approach that flood my mind; in other words, I become a better teacher who has formed an exciting habit of teaching mathematics. Marking and commenting on the homework is a way of reinforcement of desirable behaviors and punishment of undesirable behaviors, although I would rather use the reinforcement because it motivates the learner to want to do more (Laureate Education, Inc., 2011a), while on the other hand, punishment can be demoralizing although sometimes it is useful. Technology can be used in this strategy as the students search out facts and figures on their word processing applications, web resources, spreadsheet applications, multimedia and communication software (Pitler et al, 2007). They are better engaged at the use of technology and can actually share ideas with one another on blogs, wikis and podcasts. This integration does not only improve their learning but also prepares them for a future workplace that does not even exist yet (Hof, 2007).
There are so many changes in ideas, concepts and views as a result of the advancement of research and technology. It is therefore necessary for a change to be effected by the teacher in classroom practice to give room to current technology (Thornburg, 2004). Efforts should be made by the teacher to vary teaching strategies, taking cognizance of learning theories; so that all the students will be able to realize their potentials; and technology plays a key role in this, because when meticulously selected and appropriately applied, educational technology is used to enhance the learning process (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008).
References
Hof, R. (2007, August 20). The end of work as you know it. Businessweek.com. Retrieved from http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_34/b4047426.htm?chan=search
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). Program four: Behaviorist learning theory [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011b). Program one: Understanding the brain [Video webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Retrieved from http://laureate.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=5700267&CPURL=laureate.ecollege.com&Survey=1&47=2594577&ClientNodeID=984650&coursenav=0&bhcp=1
Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Marzano, R. J., Pickering, D. J., & Pollock, J. E. (2001). Classroom instruction that works: Research-based strategies for increasing student achievement. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
Standridge. M. (2008). What is behaviorism? An Excerpt from the book: Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Behaviorism
Thornburg, D. (2004). Technology and education: Expectations, not options (Executive Briefing No. 401). Retrieved from http://www.tcpdpodcast.org/briefings/expectations.pdf
Damilola
Damilola,
ReplyDeleteI really like you that you talked about encouragement and praise in the classroom. This is a large part of motivating students in school. I had a student today who actually told me that she was so excited that I had told her she did a good job! It was wonderful and I know she will continue to strive for that praise every day. This is a behaviorist action. It is rewarding to get praise and encouragement and therefore makes the student want to try harder. Yes, educational technology is used to enhance the learning process! I think the correlation between this and behaviorism is that many online games and are focused around repetition of a skill. The students enjoy playing the games while also be drilled with skills and learning. It's behaviorism at it's best, I guess!
Hi Rachel,
DeleteA kind word is like medicine to the soul. Children are easily impressionable and they tend to believe what we tell them either positive or negative so teachers and indeed parents have to mind what they say to them. Consider our study at Walden University, the lecturers generally make you feel good about yourself while they gently and surely lead us on the right path. So no matter how extensive and tedious the various assignments seem to be, we strive to stay on top of it.
Damilola:
ReplyDeleteWe definitely have similar views about motivating students. Encouragement and praise are characteristics that, even parents are forgetting these times, our children need desperately.
I agree with you in your view about homework and behaviorism. Reading what you said about homework making easy for students to become more meticulous and proficient reminded a math teacher I had in high school. His homeworks made me way proficient and meticulous and, even that his methods were not so technology related and he was way exigent in the performance (at the point of perfectionism), they were fun to do.
Hi Naida,
DeleteI am glad you made reference to the math teacher, who though did not use much of technology but could still create fun with his teaching methods. We are touched best by teachers who believe in us and support us. No child wants to disappoint a lovingly positive parent, no matter how naughty that child is. There is a draw in him towards goodness. No wonder the behaviorist theory will be difficult to do away with in education especially when one focuses on using reinforcement.
It is a gladdening thought that today we have the ample opportunity to use technology in our classrooms which can be used by the students to work on their homework and practice as well.
Bearing in mind that, when a student is rewarded through an encouraging comment before moving on to the next learning objective, his effort will be doubled because he has just realized that there is a reward for effort. Technology is a perfect tool hat can help us achieve that. For example, when computer games are used, their learning behavior is being progressively rewarded as each level of the game is mastered, which usually brings the will of expertise from them.
Damilola
Damilola, you are right about those games and effort. Students like to be challenged by nature. That is why most of them love video games. They push them to the limit of mastering the game. These skill games can do the same in a more instructional and educative way. Their reward is the progress they make through the game. As teachers, we can reinforce this rewarding process by attaching what they are learning with real life situations, so they can notice how related those games are to their own lives.
DeleteNaida
By the way, that hamster app you have in this page is a bit annoying, hehe.
DeleteHi Naida,
DeleteHa ha. See how expectant and excited the hamster is when you reward it. Then it goes spinning until it gets tired and goes to sleep and as soon as you are around the box, it gives you the expectation again. Hm m, kind of symbolic! By the way, don't forget to feed it before you leave. :)