Today we are discussing "Learning Theories". In particular, we will be discussing what I observed this week in class itself. Kindergarten is crazy! I so fully admire all the energy and patience that I observed during service hours this week and was thoroughly impressed to say the least.
When I first walked in, the very thought I had was, "How does she take control of her classroom? How does she get these kids to follow direction?" The answer is something I learned while doing my online classwork: Behaviorism.
Behaviorism is the learning theory that this teacher used in full force in her classroom. To summarize
the theory, behaviorism is controlling or changing behaviors based on patterns of reward or consequence to certain actions.
For example, the teacher allowed "Choice Time" to students who finished their work at their stations. (The student was allowed to pick an activity of their choice to do in the time remaining.) By using this method, her students were more likely to focus on their work to be able to receive the reward of playtime. Another example I saw was one of consequence. One child, having a particularly difficult time being motivated, had to stay inside to finish her workbook page before being sent outside to recess. Thus, showing the child the need to focus during work time.
As you can see, this teacher had a good way of showing, or perhaps in better words, "training" her students what it is like to be in school. Behaviorism worked well in this kindergarten situation.
Until next time,
Megan
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