behaviourism

LDT100x

Learning occurs when learners change behaviour relatively permanently. Change in behaviours are due through associations between stimuli and response.

The behaviourist school of thought began in 1913 when John Watson published an article entitled 'Psychology as the behaviourist views it.' Later, Edward Throndike (1874-1949), Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) and B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) are influential theorists of behaviourist views.

Behaviourism: Associative learning process

Conditioning elements (a bell) and the dog’s physiological reaction (saliva) is the foundation of behaviourist movement.
Skinner box! Reinforcements, punishments to see how this affects animals’ behaviour
Positive and negative reinforcers are based on behaviourism – positive works much better!
Behaviourism still important to understand what motivates students! Particularly around learning with technologies!

Learning scenario

Students are enrolled in a mathematic class. The teacher wants students to practice basic operations (i.e., addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) repetitively where they get feedback immediately. Hence, she has her students engaged with Roll It Operations Game. Here is how the game work (borrowed from Alison Smith's blog)

Students roll two dice. They add, subtract, multiply and divide the two numbers shown on the dice.
If any of the answers appear in the grid, they cover them with a counter. The first person to get to four answers in a row (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) wins!
A version of this teaching resource document can be opened and edited in Microsoft Word, allowing you to add your own custom content.

What is the stimulus/ response?

Gamification--game rules, problems and procedures

What is the positive/ negative reinforcement?

Getting the answers right, praise and winning a game is positive reforecment. Losing a game can be a negative reforcement.

Pros of constructivism

Outcomes are measurable and observable
It involves data-driven observable.
The observation is reliable.
The observed information can be applicable to several behaviours

Cons of constructivism

People can change their behaviours by receiving new information which does not necessarily involve reinforcement.
It does not consider other aspects of learning that do not involve negative or positive reinforcement.

Reference

O'Donnell, A. M. (2019). Educational psychology (Third Australian edition). John Wiley & Sons.
Hoy, A. W., & Margetts, K. (2016). Educational psychology (4th edition.). Pearson Australia.
McDevitt, T. M., Ormrod, J. E., Cupit, G., Chandler, M., & Aloa, V. (2012). Child development and education (2nd edition). Pearson Higher Education Australia.