It appears that the philosophy behind behaviorism is being redefined. Behaviorism is now most beneficial only when used as a tutorial but the old operant conditioning of reinforcement of desirable behaviors and punishment for undesirable behaviors is no longer considered a valuable practice. I personally think that Behaviorism still has a valid place in the field of education and not just as a tutorial mechanism. I think many children of today do not have a clear understanding of what behaviors are acceptable and what behaviors are not acceptable in a classroom. I think it is important to teach and reinforce positive behaviors so that the children have a clear understanding of what is expected. I think that the word punishment should be changed to discipline. Discipline is really teaching not punishment. Behaviorism is still used in many classrooms but it appears that the trend seems to be away from this theory. Once again the pendulum in education is shifting. Why is that? Why must we always throw out the old theories and practices? Why must we always be seeking for the new and improved formula. Sometimes the old tried and true practices are the best.
Reinforcing Effort is a concept that is near and dear to my heart. I believe Effort is the most important factor in achievement (H.Pitler 2007). The amount of success achieved on any given task is directly related to the about of effort you have put forth. This is very evident in the classroom. Those students that put forth the effort to be successful students usually are successful students. Self efficacy is directly related to students achievements. Self efficacy is a person's level of belief in their ability to achieve. This idea plays a major role in a person's motivation. I never thought I'd meet a student I could not motivate but I have meet one this year. Life is tough when you have no self efficacy.
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I have never seen a teacher in action who does not use some aspects of behaviorism in their daily practice. I agree that the word "punishment" has such a negative connotation that I try to stay away from it. In my thinking, "punishment" involves feeling bad about yourself, and that's not what I should be doing as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, as a last resort for students who repeatedly do not meet my classroom expectations, I have the student spend class time writing about a given topic. Sometimes, it is "Give 50 reasons why you want to be the best and brightest you can be." Or it may be "Explain why forgetting to bring the necessary materials to class stands in the way of you working with your best effort" In the middle school where I work, I found out last week that assigning a writing piece to a student as a consequence to negative behavior choice is not allowed because it makes students view writing as punishment. I'd like to share with my principal my view that students writing their thoughts down on paper is a positive way to reinforce how my expectations as teacher are designed to encourage and help students to meet their highest potential.
I think punishment represents control... my control over you... I am controlling your behavior because you are not capable of controlling it....where as discipline to me represents teaching someone to make good choices... We all have the right to make choices.. good or bad BUT we don't have the right to choose the consequences of our behaviors... .. for example... if you choose talk to another student while I am talking then you need to move to your seat where you will not disturb other people that are trying to listen.
ReplyDeleteI have strong opinions on administrators that are so concerned with this type of attitude. Are you also not allowed to use a RED pen because it is considered negative??? I use my RED pen boldly... If we cotil students now, for fear that their self esteem will be damaged because we used a red pen or had them write something that "might" actually help them remember to make better choices... WHAT do you think will happen to them when they get out into the REAL WORLD???
What are we teaching our students when we allow them to behave in an inappropriate way... that there are no consequences too the choices we make...
I think that your writing assignment sounds like a good consequence for the behavior... many of us write down reminders... this is nothing more than a student writing a reminder letter to himself to remember what he needs to do ( he or she)
Thanks for your comments!!!! Good luck of your approach to your administrator... Let me know how it turns out!