3. Behaviorism is a theory that focuses on learning
through changes in behavior. The behaviorism
theory draws back to Jean Locke’s tabula rasa, the
idea that everyone is born with a “blank slate” and
that they are conditioned by positive and negative
reinforcements in their environment. (Learning
Theories)
Through behaviorism, learning is determined by
changes that the learner makes. For the most
part, behaviorism is associated with Pavlov’s
Classical Conditioning and Watson and Skinner’s
Operational Conditioning. (Atherton)
4. Classical conditioning can be defined as “reflex
learning.” For example, at the sound of bell a dog
is presented with food, and the dog naturally
begins to drool. Then, every time the dog hears
the bell it will begin drooling because of the
expectation of the food stimulus. (Atherton)
Operational conditioning can be described as
learning a behavior by doing something then
experiencing the consequences. (Atherton) For
example, an elephant is in its exhibit at the zoo.
There is a button that, if pushed, will release
peanuts. The elephant experiences operational
conditioning by learning to push the button to
receive peanuts.
5. Under the behaviorism theory, the teacher must take part in many
things. To begin, the teacher must present her student with a
concept she wants them to learn. Then, the teacher needs to
develop a reinforcement system that will condition her students to
think on the right path.
An example of a way she could accomplish this without technology
would be to reward her math students with a treat by solving a
math problem. The reinforcement here would be the treat, and the
conditioning would come from learning the math problem. This is
an example of operational conditioning.
An example of a way the teacher may accomplish this with
technology would be by allowing her students to use education-
relevant technology in the classroom, like computers or a smart
board. For a math class the teacher could allow her students to
answer a problem in front of the class on the smart board. The
technology of the smart board is still really exciting to most
students and would condition them to work and pay attention so
they may get the chance to work on the smart board. This would
be an example of classical conditioning. Every time the teacher
decides to use the smart board, students would be more
motivated to pay attention.
6. Also with the behaviorism theory, the student must
engage themselves with the conditioning. The
student must first be willing to participate in the
conditioning. From here, the student would have to
let their instincts kick in. As in the previous
example, the student will know that completing a
problem will get them a treat. Naturally students
love getting something in return for their work.
With technology, like a smart board, the student
will know that they will get a chance to “play with”
(work on) the smart board. The student will have
to pay attention and do the work so they won’t
miss the opportunity.
7. Personally, I would like to use the behavior
theory in my classroom. I love the idea of a
rewards system in the classroom and I think it is
one of the best ways to motivate kids to learn.
However, I am definitely against a punishment
system, unless it is in regards to citizenship. I
don’t think there should be any type of
punishment in regards to learning a lesson. This
even includes when students receive bad grades.
An unsatisfactory grade should not be looked at
as a punishment, but as an implication that this
student needs help in one way or another. It
should merely be seen as not receiving a reward.
8. Using the information from the previous slides, answer the
following four questions by clicking on the correct answers.
After you have selected your answer, please press the GREEN
ARROW buttons on the bottom of each page to navigate to
the next or previous questions. One you move on to the next
question you may not return to the previous. You may press
the START button to begin your quiz.
9. Which of the following theorist is responsible for
Operational Conditioning?
A. Ivan Pavlov
B. John B. Watson
C. B.F. Skinner
D. All of the above
E. B & C
12. True or False: A mouse is put into a specially designed box that, at
the push of a button, will release food every three hours. During
the times the button is not set to release food, it instead will send
the mouse a small shock. Eventually the mouse learns to only push
the button every three hours. This is an example of classical
conditioning.
True
False
15. Fill in the blank: Through behaviorism, learning is determined by
_______________.
A. repeating the same process regularly
B. changes that the learner makes
C. changes in the learners conditions
D. changes that the teacher makes
E. None of the above
16. The correct answer was:
B. Changes that the
learner makes
17. The correct answer was:
B. Changes that the
learner makes
18. In the example of how a teacher can include the behavior theory
in her classroom without technology, what was used as a
reinforcement?
A. Use of the Smart Board
B. A treat
C. Punishment for getting the problem wrong
D. Bad grades
E. Yelling at the students
