Post your thoughts on how the instructional strategies described in the resources you explored this week correlate with the principles of behaviorist learning theory.
The behaviorist theory focuses on the role of stimulus and reinforcement in the learning process. Teachers have used this theory in a variety of different ways to teach students a variety of things. This weeks reading focused on reinforcement by showing students real information about themselves using a spreadsheet. The lessons used excel to show quick comparisons that allowed students to receive an immediate visual response. Both the immediacy and visual aspects of such activities are important factors in the effectiveness of the behaviorist theory.
Technology allows for versatility to help meet the different needs of the learners that exist in each classroom. It not only makes it easier to meet these needs, but it also makes it more fun. Technology has played a huge role in motivating my students. There is a sense of satisfaction that many students get from being able to do something new using technology, especially when they can show off their skills to a parent. These rewards all center around the Behaviorist Theory.
Technology truly does allow for versatility. I use technology in our kindergarten class and the student are amazingly in tune to the visual and auditory stimuli. And it reaches all students of all levels of learning and capabilities.
ReplyDeleteI have seen technology become a bridge for gap that often exists between students and teachers. Many students can find it hard to relate to their teachers and for that reason can be unmotivated to pay attention in such a teacher's classroom. Technology can serve as an equalizer. When a student sees that a teacher is going to implement modern technology, the teacher in a sense is now playing on the student's playing field (sorry, I like sports analogies). A student that once could care less about a teacher's class, has now found a connection they share with that teacher, as well as a new found interest in the content being taught in the course.
ReplyDeleteTechnology does increase a student’s motivation to learn in any classroom, along with participation. Before my interactive whiteboards were installed, I felt like a dentist pulling teeth, trying to get some of my students to participate in discussion or answer question. I tried a number of different ways to grab their attention or motivate them to participate. However, after installation I could even model how to properly use the pen before students were raising their hands to answering question or share the pen with me. Technology not only gave my students motivation but the confidence to participate in class.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, Carrie: This blog site is really cool! I really like the way you have it set up. I just had to say that because I am so impressed. That said, I must agree with everybody about the use of technology in the class especially when employing the behaviorist theory. I experienced a huge jump in engagement when I started using a smart board in class to drill students on various musical elements like steady beat and pitch matching.
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