The drill and practice of skills is particularly important when thinking of remediation of students. Michael Orey states that students are sent to practice skills on a computer because they have not mastered the skills in the classroom. He notes there is a negative connotation with this. The resources provided this week are drill and practice sites that students could use to gain expected skills for the classroom. I believe the skills that could be practiced are valuable to students. Some of them like math facts or grammar rules are skills that I think students would benefit from the practice and drill method of behaviorism. I think students would enjoy the ease and simplicity of the sites while still mastering an important skill. I also believe that this type of learning could be used for summer practice and practice at home.
All teachers want students to learn. It is our job to be certain to find the best method for each child. I believe a variety of methods is most effective in meeting the needs of students. The sites listed follow the behaviorism method of teaching through practice and drill. I believe there is room for this in the classroom, but do not believe it should be the only method of teaching any skill.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2011a). Behaviorist Learning Theory [DVD]. Bridging Learning Theory Instruction and Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author
Smith, K. (1999). The behaviourist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm
I agree! I sometimes use the drill and practice websites because it presents the material in a "fun, review" way and my students are willing to do the work because of that.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite drill and practice websites is:
http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/
It reviews math facts in a game version. The students can create their own games and actually play with their classmates. They love it.
Now if this were the only way I taught math facts, it would not be a good way of teaching. If I incorporate it with other activities, it will help meet the needs of my students. So, I agree they are good, but should not be the only thing used.
What postive and negative forms of behaviorism do you use to help in your classroom managment?
Renee,
DeleteI still use the consequence of taking away recess sometimes. This is not effective with all students, but for some it works. I also do some practice and drill on paper and on the computer. I would say my biggest practice and drill subject is Language. As for the positive, I am sure to point out who is doing exactly what I asked. I also give some homework passes for a job well done.
I agree that some drill and practice is needed. Is it something I do all day long? No, but students do need to master their math facts. If I tell my students they need to practice their math facts at home, many of them will not do it. However, if I give them websites to access at home, they actually get on to play.
ReplyDeleteRenee- I will have to try that site with my students. That is not one I have been on.
I find Behaviorism something of great interest. It is obviously criticized by many as it can be viewed as either rewarding or demeaning to students. However, as teachers, we realize that we do have to praise our students for the positive behaviors that they demonstrate in our classrooms in addition to "punish" students for undesirable behaviors and even through the criticism that it receives, Behaviorism still plays a signficiant role in our classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThe topic of drill and practice still plays a big role in our classrooms due to the fact that there are times where students still need that type of instruction, especially when it comes to skills such as math facts, spelling words etc. As a Physical Education Teacher, I spend a great deal of time teaching students new skills and allowing them to practice. However, in my classroom students have an understanding that everyone develops at a difference pace and for those students who have mastered a particular skill, they are provided with skill challenges, while those who have not mastered a particular skill they continue to practice at their own pace. There is room in the classroom for dril and practice, provided that it is balanced among other teaching strategies. Like you have already mentioned, our goal as teachers is to ensure that students are learning and that we are meeting the needs of all students.
I have some issues with the remediation part behaviorism which may differ from Dr. Orey's issues. When a student is sent to a computer to practice skills which he has not mastered, what is the rest of the class doing? Are they waiting for this student to catch up so they can all be on the same level? Of course not, they are developing other skills, or being taught other concepts by the teacher. As a teacher, I was taught to always keep the student's engaged, and there should be limited down time in the classroom. Also, if this student is struggling, why would separating them from their peers (dis-engaging them) help.
ReplyDeleteYes they need to develop those skills which are not mastered, but it should not be done during class time. This punishment should take place during recess, or before or after school.