Learning theories encourage active learners fully engaged in the learning process (Laureate, 2009). Using technology is a way to engage the learner and help link new information to prior knowledge. For example, when learning to plot on an x and y axis in math, the program Battlegraph can help link new information to old memories (Pitler, Hibbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007). Most students are at least familiar with board games, and maybe even Battleship itself. Also, many of today’s students are interested in and engaged by video games. Incorporating a familiar game in video style, helps engage the learner and link new material to prior knowledge. Using content related games can also be a way to reward, reinforce, those who complete their homework, or who stay focused and complete class work on efficiently. This use of Battlegraph is one example of using technology to support the behaviorist learning theory.
Another way that the instructional strategies in the text, Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works (Pitler, et al, 2007) align with the behaviorist theory of learning is that learning and brain activity is tied to emotion (Laureate, 2009). When students are engaged and having fun, their brains will retain the information more efficiently. Many of the internet sites recommended involve games or activities the students can play. For example, when visiting the Starfall.com site, I read a story about a dragon and then completed a puzzle where I had to arrange words to form a sentence (Pitler et al, 2007, pg. 196). When I arranged the words correctly the computer read the sentence aloud to me and then I was able to watch the dragon act out the sentence. When I purposefully misplaced a word, I was unable to continue until I moved the word to the correct location. This is an example of the reinforcement conditioning with the behavioral learning theory. When I demonstrated the appropriate or desired behavior the computer reacted by reading to me and displaying animation. Without the correct response, I did not receive the reward.
When implementing the behaviorist learning theory, your reward target behaviors and punish to decrease alternative behaviors. Using technology is automatically seen as a reward by most students. When the computer or program provides the added reinforcement of moving on the next level, or watching an animated cartoon upon completion, the reinforcement is that much stronger. Teachers need to be cognoscente of how often these programs are being used. As with any reward, it can lose it’s effectiveness when it loses it’s appeal.
References:
Laureate Education Inc., (2009). Behaviorist Learning Theory. Bridging learning, theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore.
Laureate Education Inc., (2009). Brain Research and Learning. Bridging learning, theory, instruction, and technology. Baltimore.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Courtney~
ReplyDeleteBehaviorism is a great way to motivate younger students. As they progress toward high school, I find it important for the students to shift there focus and be more intrinsically motivated. Do you find some students intrinsically motivated on the elementary level?
Don't get me wrong, I have used behaviorism & do see its benefits, on occasion. I however,want my students to accomplish the task at hand for, themselves and be proud of the effort and dedication it took to complete.
I also am a big proponent of technology integrated in school work. Meaning homework and classwork. However, completing tedious assignments on the computer, just for the sake of reinforcement with the media, is preposterous. That must be so boring for them. Watching the Laureate DVD, brought back so many memories about my own experiences. Having educators being told to do this must be so difficult.
~Michele
Courtney-
ReplyDeleteHave you incorporated technology in your homework?? I am not sure what grade you are teaching but if you cover propaganda techniques technology would be a great resource.
As Michele mentioned that behaviorism is a great tool for younger students. Do you feel that we are training our students to be rewarded for all of their effort?? When they get older are they going to understand the satisfaction that can come with doing a good job??
I am starting to think that some elementary teachers use behaviorism as too much of a crutch and when my middle school students arrive in my classroom I have to dangle the carrot in front of them at all times.
-Meghan
Michele and Meghan,
ReplyDeleteEven at 10 years old, a majority of students do their best work because that is who they are; they are not looking for a reward other than a good grade. It is the tough to motivate student that requires the carrot in 4th grade. I often wonder if the students who complete every assignment just because ever get upset that other students get rewarded for things they do every day. When I use technology 'games' in my classroom I tend to run them as whole class activities, but do use that time to catch up with students who have missed work. In my room I do not use a whole class reward system or a chart system such as the one Dr. Orey mentioned in his video. I only use an extrinsic reward system with the few students who need extra motivation.
In 4th grade the students start to become very socially aware and want to be liked by their peers and teachers. They are afraid to get in trouble and may therefore do their work to fit in. I know in middle school a shift occurs with what is seen as cool is not always what really is cool. I wonder if this change is social dynamic has anything to do with extrinsic vs. intrinsic rewarding?
Thanks for reading my post,
Courtney
Courtney~
ReplyDeleteGood point! Not really sure about the psycho-social aspect of things, I guess we would need a development psychologist to help us with that one.
Thanks.
~Michele
I agree technology and games are a great way to get students motivated. However, I feel like kids these days are too caught up in video games and it is kind of a shame that we have to always have something grand or fun to get students' attention. What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteCourtney,
ReplyDeleteI use starfall frequently with my first graders. You are correct in your statement that they view it as a reward just being able to work on the computer. I also liked your statement about how, with any reward, when overused it can lose it's effectiveness. I see this often with teachers I work with. Useful and effective websites like starfall are used as "babysitters" rather than instructional opportunities and instead of engaging students, students play and click on theings just to pass the time. No learning takes place. We have to be careful as educators that we don't cheapen great resources by using them incorrectly and wasting a great chance to reinforce important skills with our students in a fun, exciting way.
Jennifer
ReplyDeleteHaving students caught up with video games can help in the classroom. I use games in my high school Algebra course to reinforce concepts learned. Also at the end of a mid-term I allow the student who scored 100 points to play for 10 minutes on my iphone. I have apps on it such as bubble burst. This is a pretty neat app since it is just like bursting bubbles from the wrapper of when you purchase breakables. It also reinforces order of operations since after bursting a number of bubbles a question appears to which you must respond.
However Jennifer is right. Too often we have to have something grand to get students attention. Whatever happened to good old intrinsic motivation, doing it because it makes me feel good.
Courtney
ReplyDeleteI would like to reinforce the point you made about using games to reinforce material you have presented to students. Currently, we are working through a geometry unit in my fifth grade classroom. Using Geometry Quizmo r reinforce the material we are working with in class has been a blessing. The first time we played the game was at the beinning of the unit and students struggled with it. Now that we have been working in the unit for the past few weeks they have become much better with the game. In fact, many of my students ask on a daily basis if we can play the game.
Travis