Behaviorist Learning Theory as related to Technology
B.F. Skinner developed this as a theory of how we learn. The overall belief is that learning is through the "acquisition of new behavior." The classic example I remember from my education studies was of dogs salivating to a particular stimuli, such as a sound, or sight of the food bowl.
The article, referenced below, says, "learning comes from the observation of cultures". This is interesting because here we are at a crossroads in education. No longer is it student, teacher, textbook. Instead we are in a transition into the unknown as technology plays a major role in learning. An example of this occurred last year in my sixth grade GT(Gifted and Talented) science classes. I covered the objective and a few of my GT students went home and googled more information on the subject. The next day I gave them the floor to share with their classmates the extra information they had learned on the subject. Technology has made learning richer in my mind. However, based on the Behaviorist Theory, learning comes from culture. Technology is changing culture. While technology is making learning more interesting and more easily accessed, it is affecting how people communicate and taking that personal, face-to-face, exchange away.
The Behaviorist theory according to the article states, "learner is passive, no critical thinking." Wait a minute! That's not the way I teach! Since I'm looking at this theory again as an experienced teacher, I'm seeing that I actually run down the middle of the road as far as theories are concerned. I do create environments that encourage and engage students. My students learn from observations in class, which supports the Behaviorist Theory, but my classroom is engaging, it puts learning into the students hands as I guide them instead of throwing information at them. I push them to higher order thinking.
The Behaviorist Theory does speak about the incentives helping students to learn and teh punishments if one does not comply. This is certainly true and its a big part of a successful classroom. I've seen many teachers who have no 'classroom management' and there is little learning that takes place in these situations. A strong classroom management can provide an environment conducive to learning.
Behaviorism and the Construction of Knowledge by: Qais Faryadi
The article, referenced below, says, "learning comes from the observation of cultures". This is interesting because here we are at a crossroads in education. No longer is it student, teacher, textbook. Instead we are in a transition into the unknown as technology plays a major role in learning. An example of this occurred last year in my sixth grade GT(Gifted and Talented) science classes. I covered the objective and a few of my GT students went home and googled more information on the subject. The next day I gave them the floor to share with their classmates the extra information they had learned on the subject. Technology has made learning richer in my mind. However, based on the Behaviorist Theory, learning comes from culture. Technology is changing culture. While technology is making learning more interesting and more easily accessed, it is affecting how people communicate and taking that personal, face-to-face, exchange away.
The Behaviorist theory according to the article states, "learner is passive, no critical thinking." Wait a minute! That's not the way I teach! Since I'm looking at this theory again as an experienced teacher, I'm seeing that I actually run down the middle of the road as far as theories are concerned. I do create environments that encourage and engage students. My students learn from observations in class, which supports the Behaviorist Theory, but my classroom is engaging, it puts learning into the students hands as I guide them instead of throwing information at them. I push them to higher order thinking.
The Behaviorist Theory does speak about the incentives helping students to learn and teh punishments if one does not comply. This is certainly true and its a big part of a successful classroom. I've seen many teachers who have no 'classroom management' and there is little learning that takes place in these situations. A strong classroom management can provide an environment conducive to learning.
Behaviorism and the Construction of Knowledge by: Qais Faryadi
I agree that the personalness between the technology and face to face interaction is waning. Although I am excited to see what technology offers, I am slightly cautious as to what it means for students in the future. I like how your teaching methods are unique, using different methods to create your own teaching style, especially with classroom management.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kameron! As a teacher for so many years, I've learned to switch things up for not just the students, but for myself. It makes things more interesting to change things often and we, as educators, have to stay ahead in technology lest our students pass us up!
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