This week’s class focused on the behaviorist views of
learning and its importance in educational psychology.Unfortunately being that Independence Day was
celebrated this week, Pete decided that it was best to conduct class online.
While the activities were both stimulating and engaging, Corrine and I were
unable to blog on any particular classmates’ comments.
The online class began with a lecture by Pete which
summarized Chapter 9 of our textbook. Our first activity focused on how well we
believed Pete summarized this chapter. Both Corrine and I thought he did an
excellent job. Pete reinforced our readings with clear examples of Classical
and Operant Conditioning, giving clear examples of classroom management in
relation to these behaviorist ideas. Pete did note that when using
reinforcement techniques, it is important to note that negative reinforcement
should never be used in the classroom; positive reinforcement techniques work
best. I, though having some familiarity with the theory of self-regulation,
believed that possibly self-regulation can be implemented in the classroom
setting. It would be interesting to read some other views on this.
Our second activity invited us into the world of Yale
University. We learned about three radical theories of behaviorism. The first
theory illustrated the idea that behaviorists place strong emphasis on
learning. Behaviorists believe that everything you know and everything that you
are is a direct result of experience. What you are is what you learn. The
second theory focused on the idea that desires emotions, etc. can never form
the basis for science. These internal mental states can never be proved
scientifically. Corrine and I also agreed with this theory. We agreed that
internal mental states also drive behavior.The third theory focused on lack of
differences across species. Behaviorists believe that environments control
behavior and this is what causes a difference between species. While I am apt
to agree with this, I also believe that human beings don’t rely necessarily on
instinct for survival and our behavior can be self-regulated.
In activity three and four, we learned about classical and
operant conditioning and how it relates to behaviorism.We were able to view the Pavlov and Skinner
classical experiments on positive and negative reinforcement. Pete’s lecture
was also of value here, as we saw the importance of positive reinforcement and
how it can relate to change in behavior in the classroom environment.
The final activity illustrated the principles of Applied
Behavior Analysis and how this is used to assist children diagnosed with Autism
to learn new skills. ABA is very child specific and can have great rewards if
used properly.Teachers equipped with
this training can have a great impact on the life of an Autistic child.
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