Is There Room for the Behaviorist Learning Thoery in the Classroom?

In the webcast titled “Behaviorist Learning Theory”, Dr. Michael Orey discusses the behaviorist learning theory and how it centers on reinforcement and punishment (Laureate Education, Inc., 2010).  Developed by B.F. Skinner, this theory is at the head of constant debate as to whether or not it belongs in the classroom.  As I read this week’s learning resources I came to the conclusion that many of the instructional strategies highlighted did in fact align very well with the behaviorist learning theory.  Two of the strategies that were focused on this week were reinforcing student effort, and homework and practice. 

Reinforcing Effort

In the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, the authors state that many students do not understand how their effort contributes to success and achievement.  Many believe that their success or lack of success is due to external factors.  Students have a hard time connecting the effort they put forth to the end result they achieve with that effort.  In the chapter about reinforcing effort, the authors lay out an effort rubric that outlines what excellent effort is, as well as what poor effort looks like.  Students are asked to chart the effort they put forth each day and review that chart when they see the end result.  They are able to see the connection between good effort and a positive outcome, or poor effort and a negative outcome.  The whole purpose of this charting is so the students understand that they are in control (Pitler, Hubbel, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).

As this is being written from the perspective of a first grade teacher, I do not feel that an effort rubric would be an effective tool for my students, though I do believe it would be incredibly effective for older grades.  Though my students are not up to the level of the rubric presented in the text, they do understand the pride and sense of accomplishment they feel when they have overcome a challenge.  Each time a student in my class moves to a new level of readers they are overwhelmed with pride for what they have learned.  Even further than that, they are able to show their friends and family that they have progressed on our class reading chart and that they did it themselves.  The idea of reinforcing effort is essentially what the behaviorist learning theory is all about, and it is important to foster this correlation between effort and achievement at a young age. 

Homework and Practice

Pitler, Hubbel, Kuhn, and Malenoski (2007) state, “Homework and practice give students a chance to review and apply what they have learned.  As an extension of the classroom, homework provides opportunities for students to deepen their understanding of the content and to gain proficiency with their skills (p.187).  The use of technology is widely used in the realm of homework and practice.  Many multimedia tools and applications directly reflect the behaviorist learning theory because they offer instant feedback and redirection.

 This week’s resources discussed educational games that are many times centered on curriculum.  These games or programs are not only engaging, but offer feedback as soon as an answer is given (Pitler, Hubbel, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).  In my classroom I use both brainpop.com and starfall.com.  Brainpop is a website that one can watch short videos on many different topics.  After each video is a quiz checking for understanding.  At Starfall, students can not only participate in literacy and phonics games, but can read animated books online.  If they are unable to recognize a word, they can click on it and it is instantly read to them.  Reading skills incline greatly because students are working, but they stick with the program because the animations are fun and entertaining. 

Overall, I think it would be hard for any teacher to say that the behaviorist learning theory does not belong in the classroom.  We spend a majority of the day reinforcing everything from effort to behavior to positive study skills.  I firmly believe that my students would not have shown as much improvement this year without the reinforcement that goes on in my classroom. 

Resources

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

Pitler, H., Hubbel, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Denver, CO: McREL