Teachers naturally modify behaviors on a constant level, anytime we tell a student to quiet down or tell a student good job on a test, we are modifying their behavior. Just to what extent we are doing so is a question up for debate.
I believe there is a time and a place for behaviorism in today's classrooms. I think it is important that punishments be used only when necessary as they do tend to have a negative relationship towards learning. Rewards should be used to instill the desired behaviors.
My school has a monthly rewards program for our eighth graders. If I see a student doing something really nice, or going outside of his or her comfort zone for the benefit of someone else, I can recognize them with an award. At the end of the month, the students that have received awards get pizzas for lunch as opposed to the school cafeteria food. Some students will beg and plead to receive one, but I only will give one out if the student is not overtly aware that their actions could involve a reward. I feel rewards should be more instantaneous, but the program has seemed to work effectively thus far.
In the spring I coach Tennis. The basic methodology of coaching is as follows: 1) introduce a new skill 2) practice the skill 3) simulate the skill in a game like situation. I think this general idea works in the classroom as well as on the tennis court. Students need to practice a real life use of the new skill or content that is learned. I believe that with technology in particular, this is an effective strategy. Technology can make it easy to tailor-make learning at a student's difficulty level.
I think a blending of behavior modification with other strategies is important. Kids will not respond the same way every time a reward/punishment is offered. If done properly, a well-managed classroom incorporates behavior modification seamlessly and without being overtly noticeable.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI like your behavior management system and the fact that you focus on the positive. I believe if you have a good positive reinforcement system in place you generally don't have many problems that require negative consequences.
I also think that you are right on by stating that studenst need to use the skills they are learning in a real life situation. There are many wonderful practice and drill programs out there but if we don't take it a step further and apply it to a real life situation with real meaning students will not be able to retain the skill or information effectively.
Michelle Epstein :)
Michael,
ReplyDeleteYour first statement is very powerful! I don't think we as teachers realize how often we are modifying students' behavior. I really like your behavior management! We had a simular one in our school last year! Every staff member would be on the look out for studnets who go above and beyond and they would be the ladder climbers and get their name on the announcements each morning! We do not do it as school now, but many of the teachers still do it in their classroom. I have a ladder in my classroom and reward the positive and give the negative a consequence. It seems to work well, as long as I am consistent. I beleive that with each passing day I am becoming more and more consistent with this program and in the end believe it will be very rewarding as my behavior management in my classroom. I also agree that technology can make it easier for the teachers and more rewarding and effective for our students!
Hi Michael,
ReplyDeleteI think you raise an excellent point.
"I think a blending of behavior modification with other strategies is important. Kids will not respond the same way every time a reward/punishment is offered. If done properly, a well-managed classroom incorporates behavior modification seamlessly and without being overtly noticeable. "
Yes--students may not react the same way every time an event occurs. I find that recognizing positive actions with rewards is a nice approach in encouraging this--and sometimes can help us to ignite interest in a behavior--that is, a student may initially behave a certain way to earn a prize, but once they see the merit to the particular action, they may continue regardless of whether or not a reward is offered. For example, a student who lends a friend a pencil may get some praise from their teacher, which might encourage them to repeat this prosocial action--but seeing the look for gratitude on a friend's face--knowing they've helped someone--may eventually be of more value to the student than any reward. Asking students for a rationale for why an action is important (in addition to providing a reward) also provides another cognitive avenue into encouraging some behaviors and discouraging others.
Michael,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post. You brought up many wonderful points. My school does a similar reward system that follows three rules: Be respectful, Be responsible, Be an active learner. Students receive Friday Surprise (a weekly different surprise given to the teachers to give to the students that followed the three rules) and monthly popcorn tickets. You wouldn't believe how much these positive reinforcements work with the students. They talk about Friday surprise all week.
In my classroom to promote school appropriate behavior, I run a classroom economy. Students earn money for good deeds and jobs that I assign them weekly. However, students will lose money for not turning homework assignments, forgetting to have their parents sign their agenda, and so on. Every two weeks, I open the classroom store and my students are able to purchase items and services. I believe my classroom economy follows closely to the behaviorism theory.
I am sure your eighth grade students could benefit from the classroom economy as well!
mhayn,
ReplyDeleteThat classroom economy sounds like an idea I could get into to. Is it hard to continuously update the books? I could see the potentially being a distraction, but even that could be self-regulating if executed properly. What kind of items do you have in the store? And do you provide them or have you received community support?
I also use a classroom economy system but we do our student store once a month that way all of the students have an opportunity to save. We also incorporate a banking system where people save money and earn interest- they have so much fun with it! We also have monthly jobs that students have to create a resume for and apply for so they can earn their pay. Just some ideas if you want to use them :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle