Behaviorism

The behaviorist learning theory is based upon operant conditioning. This is accomplished by reinforcement. Students receive positive reinforcement when desirable learning takes place and some form of negative reinforcement or punishment when the desirable learning is not accomplished (Laureate Education, Inc. 2010). This theory suggests that students will passively learn from stimuli in the environment and the immediate reinforcement that follows (Lever-Duffy & McDonald, 2008).

In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the authors discuss the importance of effort in the classroom and how to try and increase student effort. They give the example of using Excel software to create a spreadsheet for students to track the amount of study time for a test and the correlating grade. This is an example of a behaviorist approach. The teacher is using the software to help point out the positive reinforcement of a better grade as a reward for increased effort. This is a great idea for increasing student effort and for motivation. These are some positives for the behaviorist learning theory, unfortunately I do not believe this learning theory lends itself to many positives for higher level learning though.

Instructional technology that follows the guidelines of the behaviorist learning theory is mostly drill and practice software, tutorials, or simulations (Laureate Education, Inc. 2010). They provide positive reinforcement when correct answers are given by allowing the students to move forward through the software and when the correct answer is not given students receive a form of negative reinforcement such as having to redo a problem or not advancing. These types of software are beneficial for introduction, remedial work, and diagnostic purposes. However, I do not believe they will help students gain a deep understanding of a concept or develop higher level thinking.

In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, they have some more productive approaches to homework and practicing. They suggest having students create their own interactive game using multimedia such as PowerPoint. Having students collaborate using web resources such as wikis to create a group project, or using spreadsheet software to create formulas and manipulate them are some more examples of using instructional technologies that allow the students to be creative, active, and develop a deeper understanding.

I believe there are times in the classroom that we as teachers can take a behaviorist approach, such as the increasing effort activity mentioned above. I do not believe constantly using such an approach will help our students learn at the level they need to in order to develop meaningful concepts.

The link below is for a website that allows for more than just drill and practice. The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, is a great site that allows students to develop a deeper understanding of math concepts.
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html

References

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). Program four. Behaviorist learning theory [Webcast]. Bridging learning theory, instruction and technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical foundations (Laureate Education, Inc.,

        custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Pitler H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.