Several resources were available this week for our review. One was in the book; Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, by Pitler, Hubbell. The chapter on reinforcing effort was designed to support an understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement. This can be taught explicitly and then tracked by the students themselves with technology. This appears to have a method of tracking behavior but as a third grade teacher, I see little correlation to Behaviorist Theory. With explicit teaching comes modeling, review, and repeated modeling with review. While the students can monitor their effort, to support Behaviorist Theory, a system of rewards and consequences needs to be well established.
The other chapter was on homework and practice. One aspect that concerned me, again I teach elementary, was the generalization that parental involvement be kept to a minimum. I want my parents involved, I do not want them doing the work, but I do want them available, supportive, and guiding. When using technology for homework, parents should know what the student is doing and should promote good time management skills. These efforts can be supported with Behavior Theory with rewards for completed work returned on time or consequences for not doing homework like no t.v. or loss of phone privileges, as examples.
Other resources available were via the links below:
Classroom.JC-Schools.net
Prentice Hall Social Studies Skills Tutor
Keyboarding Practice
WebMATH
English Grammar 101
DC Physics: Help for Physics Students
Internet4Classrooms Tutorials
Some offer support through drill and practice methods and others offer tutorials that guide understanding, better utilizing reinforcement of desired results. Each has its pros and cons in regards to Behaviorist Theory and offer valuable instructional practice in the courses intended. When programmed instruction offers information, follows up with a question, and either reteaches per an incorrect response of celebrates a correct response, that instruction is promoting reinforcement of the desired behavior. That’s as much as software, without an educator’s guidance, can do.
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That is great that you want parents involved but not too involved in the students homework. I think it is important to have that support system at home and in school. Thanks for including the other resources.
ReplyDeleteHi Lance,
ReplyDeleteJust to comment on your post regarding the behaviorst theory linked with achievement, I disagree with you. I don't think that a rewards and punishment program has to be in place when it comes to students tracking their acheivement. I believe they are related because if a student is tracking their progress and sees that they improve in their grades just by changing the way they study and it has a positive effect upon their grades going up, or by adding a routine that is taught by the teacher, then they can see a connection that they had to change their behavior.
Parental involvement is certainly huge in reinforcing learning. I believe that parents have a very important role when it comes to their children's learning. Often, parents neglect this and the children suffer.
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