In my own classroom I extensively use the behaviorist learning theory with classroom management. It lends itself perfectly and frankly most behaviors take place because there is some sort of reaction either positive or negative.
Our school district has used connected math a math program where there is not a lot of practice and drill. Kids are introduced to larger concepts and then use a lot of self discovery. It is obvious to me that this approach with math does not work because too many of my students come to seventh grade and do not know things like multiplication tables and basics formulas simply because they didn’t get any ‘drill and kill’ with these essential facts. I think certainly behaviorist theories work well in the math classroom. Anything really that has to list a set of instructions or use an ordered set of procedures. Some things just need rote practice to become more fully learned. Often as teachers in my district we will use online tutorials to increase our computer skills or when learning a new computer program. I think as teachers we all use different learning theories in our classrooms and the behaviorist theory has its place.
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Shayne,
ReplyDeleteI know that at the elementary level we are adopting a new math program next year. We'll be doing Everyday Math across the board K-5 I think with Connected staying in 6th. I was wondering will secondary be adopting new programs as well? Great post!
I see it too in our building where many students come to the high school and cannot write a sentence in the correct format. They do not know, what I believe are the more simpler parts of writing. In our building, a lot of what us teachers go through in our professional development time is done through behaviorist methods, but then there are those teacher who do not teach this way in their classrooms? I do not understand it.
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