Behavioist Learning Theory

Behaviorist learning theory involves a change in the behavior of a person due to a stimulus-response by the learner. According to Standridge, “An individual selects one response instead of another because of prior conditioning and psychological drives existing at the moment of the action” (Smith, 1999). In the book Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that works, there are many strategies discussed that combine technology and behaviorist learning theory. One of the strategies discussed is reinforcing effort. According to Pitler (2012), “reinforcing effort enhances students’ understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning” (Pg. 57). This strategy is about helping students to recognize the reward from hard work. Pitler (2012) states, “One easy way to help students make the connection between effort and achievement is by using a spreadsheet” (Pg. 58). Students are taught how to use a spreadsheet to graph their score on their classwork and an effort score. According to Pitler, the teacher needs to make an effort rubric that students will understand so that they have a true understanding of the effort they are putting forth (2012). Students need to make a real connection between the two. This corresponds to the behaviorist learning theory because it is teaching students to find their own reward or possible punishment. They learn if they put forth a lot of effort the graph increases and if they do not the graph decreases. In my school, data notebooks are used. Students graph their test scores and set goals. The students get excited to see their graph increase, however they are doing them by hand and do not discuss effort. I plan on introducing this to the teachers at my schools. Pitler, H., Hubbell, E. R., & Kuhn, M. (2012). Using technology with classroom instruction that works (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: ASCD. Smith, K. (1999). The behaviourist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm