I first ran into Behaviorism in child psychology classes I took for my Early Childhood Education credential (ECE). It was developed by a renowned psychologist named John B. Watson and formed into the Theory of Behaviorism by another famous psychologist, B.F. Skinner. The technical definition they provide is:

“…scientific and objective methods of investigation concerned with observable stimulus-response behaviors; all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment.”

They used the infamous example of Pavlov’s Dogs. No surprise, with this gobbledegook definition that used dog training as the example, I laughed, rejected it, and forgot it.

Fast forward a decade, to a time I was studying for my teaching credential. One of my classes reviewed education pedagogies such as Purpose-driven Learning, the Socratic Method, Depth of Knowledge, Unschooling, and Behaviorism. Applied to education, Behaviorism focuses on:

“… conditioning student behavior with various types of reinforcements and consequences…”

I still cringe at words like “conditioning” and “consequences”, but in the fullness of the class, I came to understand that whether teachers know it or not, they use Behaviorism as an effective, reliable teaching tool. I’ll get back to that later but first, I want to deconstruct how a theory that started with training dogs is now a cornerstone in education pedagogy.

Note: I have posted about this before. If it sounds familiar, that’s why.

What is Behaviorism in Education?

Behaviorism in the classroom revolves around observable measurable behaviors. This is actions, not thoughts or feelings. Since its introduction to education in the 1950’s, it has become a teacher’s best friend in helping her/him to define classroom behaviors that shape order and enhance learning. It establishes boundaries for students, provides expectations that they can rely on, and offers a reliable way to self-assess student achievement of class goals:

According to Skinner, behavior is a learned response reinforced by the consequences resulting from that behavior. For instance, if students are rewarded for doing extra work, they’re more likely to repeat that behavior.

It accomplishes much of what B.F. Skinner predicted when he suggested it as an effective methodology for revolutionizing an education system that didn’t seem to work anymore. It has become popular in education theory by other names such as PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) and through the use of apps like Too Noisy or Hero K12.

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Why use Behaviorism Strategies in Teaching?

The short answer is, for many, Behaviorism works. Because of its clear guidelines and easy-to-understand cause-and-effect relationships, it improves student performance and discourages classroom behavior that interferes with education goals. It manages to quantify responses to notoriously subjective issues (like the student who needs to entertain classmates) and encourages objective and measurable metrics that provide a win-win in the difficult area of student assessment. Students appreciate an even-handed approach which favors no one and everyone at the same time. Teachers appreciate an unbiased framework that is defensible when discussing issues with parents, grade-level team members, and/or administrators. When stringently applied in an objective manner, students get more out of class lessons, get better grades, and classroom behavior is more conducive to everyone’s learning.

So, if you’ve tried other classroom management strategies to no avail, try this one for three months. In many cases, it will be exactly what you need.

How to use it

The application of Behaviorism relies on observable behavior, nothing else. It rewards the positive, punishes the negative, and in that way shapes student actions. It’s unbiased, without opinion, must be consistently enforced, and can’t be influenced by thoughts or emotions. Most teachers already use this strategy and appreciate the results without even knowing that’s what they’re doing. For example, when they thank students for sitting down quickly upon entering class or for starting a warm-up activity without being told to, the teacher is using a behavioral strategy. When homework is assigned with the expectation that students will return to class the next day with it completed, teachers are training student learning behavior. If your school uses positive reinforcement tools like Class Dojo, Empatico, Hero K12, or Sown to Grow, they are acknowledging the effectiveness in education ecosystems of Skinner’s Behaviorism.

There are four types of reinforcement:

1. Positive reinforcement concentrates on applauding good behavior
2. Negative reinforcement punishes the unacceptable
3. Presentation punishment applies a negative outcome in response to a behavior that is not desired
4. Removal reinforcement simply eliminates the negative stimuli.

Each of these can be equally effective in helping students achieve their learning goals.

How you already use it

Here are ways you already use it without thinking about it:

• grading papers and then accumulating the grades for a summative report (such as report cards)
• keeping kids in class instead of releasing them to recess to give them time to finish work they didn’t do
• providing treats for right answers
• applying consequences for the use of cellphones in class when they aren’t allowed
• setting classroom rules at the beginning of the school year
• using award systems like Classroom Dojo or Hero K12
• awarding badges for achievements and/or the completion of specific skills, tasks, or units
• timing a test or another classroom activity, expecting students to complete the task within the time parameters
• providing rubrics that spell out expectations for a project
• modeling appropriate behavior as an encouragement for students to do the same
• sharing samples of projects students will be completing as examples of what you expect
• expecting students who are late for class to get notes from parents or a teacher before being admitted to class
• expecting student athletes to maintain a C average (or whatever your school requires) to participate in sports

You can start the application of Behaviorism by applauding good behavior but include evidence to support it as well as making clear your willingness to use logical consequences that don’t embarrass the student if behavior is unacceptable.

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Conclusion

Applying Behaviorism to your classes could be one of the easiest changes you make to your classroom management with the greatest chance for success. I’d love to hear your experiences with this pedagogy.

Here’s the list of articles:

Constructivism

Depth of Knowledge (DoK)

Flipped Classroom

Frayer Model

Growth Mindset

Habits of Mind

Inquiry-based Teaching

Mastery-based Learning

Morning Meeting

Orton-Gillingham

Personalized Learning

Project-based Learning (PBL)

Purpose-driven Learning

SAMR Model

Socratic Method

Standards-based Grading

Understanding By Design

Unschool

VARK model

Visible Learning

Whole Brain Teaching

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“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Constructivism is a student-centered philosophy that emphasizes hands-on learning and active participation in lessons. Constructivists believe that learning is an active process so the most effective way to learn is through discovery. New information is blended into prior knowledge. Learning is constructed, not acquired, and is based on the fullness of a person’s individual lifetime of learning. It is continuously tested as new ideas are added, either causing long-held beliefs to evolve or be replaced.

Constructivism is not a pedagogy or a theory. It is a mindset — a way of thinking used to guide learners.

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In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.

Today’s tip: 8 Tips to Teach Tomorrow’s Students

Tomorrow’s student is no longer a passive observer of his/her educational journey, expecting a teacher to impart knowledge that will shape his/her future. Tomorrow’s student takes charge of their learning, sifts through available options and selects what works for them, spirals up or down when required, asks for scaffolding when it’s lacking, accepts accountability for their progress as a stakeholder in the process, adapts to change as needed. They look for rigor in their learning environment and rise to the challenge when required.

Here’s a poster with 8 unique tips for teaching tomorrow’s students:

Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom.

What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom? Share it in the comments below.

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In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.

***

If you’re the tech teacher, this is a must. If you’re a classroom teacher trying to infuse your class with technology, here are ten steps to help you geek out:

Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom.

What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom? Share it in the comments below.

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New America has a good overview on raising kids with tech:

Navigating How and When to Use Tech When Teaching Young Children

Take-Aways from Our Two-Part Series Focused On Tablets in Pre-K Through Third Grade

Early childhood educators make thousands of decisions each day. Among them are decisions around technology use with their young learners, which are too often shaped by policies and pedagogies that lag behind the latest research and the abundance of available options.

Read on… (more…)

In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.

Today’s tip: Basics in Every Lesson Plan

Here are four skills to be included and reinforced in every lesson plan. Don’t teach them! Blend them into your core lessons, as part of the workflow. Include them as you do when you teach reading (in non-reading classes), using a pencil, and handwriting:

• Keyboarding
• Digital citizenship
• Vocabulary
• Problem solving

For the other two, watch this video:

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–summarized by NoteGPT

Summary

In this informative video, Jacqui Murray discusses effective technology integration in K-8 classrooms, highlighting the current supportive landscape for using technology in education. Murray emphasizes that this is an ideal time to be involved in teaching technology, whether or not one considers themselves a tech expert. The discussion begins with an introduction to Murray’s extensive experience in education, focusing on technology’s role in lesson delivery and integration into the curriculum. She introduces six key topics or “strands” that are essential for creating engaging lessons that reflect modern educational standards, blending subjects together rather than treating them in isolation.

The six strands include digital citizenship, keyboarding skills, problem-solving, research skills, vocabulary expansion, and publishing and sharing. For each topic, Murray offers practical strategies for teaching and integrating them into existing lesson plans. She talks about how to establish a foundation of digital citizenship by making students aware of online safety and etiquette from early grades. Murray discusses the necessity of keyboarding skills in today’s tech-driven world and how to incorporate them seamlessly into instruction.

Murray further explores the importance of problem-solving skills, encouraging students to troubleshoot and find solutions independently. She emphasizes safe and effective research tactics, urging students to critically evaluate sources. Expanding vocabulary through digital tools is highlighted, as is the critical element of sharing and publishing student work for collective learning and empowerment. Ultimately, Murray encourages teachers to view these strands as a cohesive framework that enhances learning and prepares students for future academic challenges.

Highlights

• 🎓 The importance of blending subjects to create cohesive lessons that reflect modern educational standards.
• 💻 Digital citizenship is essential from an early age, requiring ongoing discussions about online safety and etiquette.
• ⌨️ Keyboarding skills should be integrated into lessons, enhancing students’ competency with technology.
• 🛠️ Problem-solving skills transform students into independent learners who can troubleshoot tech issues.
• 🔍 Research skills empower students to critically evaluate sources, making them more informed consumers of information.
• 📚 Vocabulary expansion is essential in education, encouraging students to actively engage with words and definitions.
• 🔗 Publishing and sharing student work creates a sense of community and enhances collaborative learning.

Key Insights

• 🌐 Digital Citizenship is Essential: Murray highlights that it’s crucial to integrate discussions about digital citizenship into lessons at every grade level. This approach trains students to navigate the online world safely and responsibly, emphasizing that education about digital behavior is continuous and should evolve as students progress in their understanding of technology.
• 💡 The Role of Keyboarding Skills: Teaching keyboarding isn’t merely an added layer; it’s essential for enhancing classroom efficiency. By embedding keyboarding education into daily lessons, teachers equip students with necessary tools for success across subjects. This practice fosters dexterity that will serve students well in their digital interactions, allowing them to focus more on the content rather than the act of typing.
• 🔄 Encouraging Problem-Solving: Murray’s emphasis on fostering problem-solving abilities reflects a shift toward student autonomy in learning. By guiding students to find solutions independently, teachers streamline classroom management and empower students to take control of their learning experiences, ultimately making the educational process more dynamic.
• 🔍 Effective Research Skills: Educators must emphasize the importance of teaching students how to ascertain reliable information online. By preparing them to discern reputable sources from biased or misleading content, students become not only consumers of knowledge but also critical thinkers capable of navigating the complexities of information on the internet.
• 📖 Vocabulary Matters: The intentional teaching of vocabulary through multiple mediums can enhance comprehension and engagement. Murray suggests that using technology to aid vocabulary acquisition allows students to seek definitions and gain deeper understanding dynamically, rather than superficially glossing over complex content.
• 🌐 Collaborative Learning Through Sharing: Emphasizing the importance of publishing and sharing work transforms how students interact with their learning. In fostering an environment where students contribute to a collective body of knowledge not only democratizes learning but also leverages peer feedback for continuous growth, helping students to learn from one another.
• 🤝 Integration Across Subjects: Murray’s call for the integration of the six strands across disciplines underlines education’s interconnectedness. Teachers should consider these elements as intertwined rather than isolated, optimizing educational outcomes by enhancing student engagement and contextual understanding across subjects.

To finish up, read this article:

“What is the 21^st Century lesson plan”

Sign up for a new tip each week or buy the entire 169 Real-world Ways to Put Tech into Your Classroom.

What’s your favorite tech tip in your classroom? Share it in the comments below.

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Generative AI is all anyone in education talks about anymore so the Ask a Tech Teacher team wanted to provide a collection of tips for using AI as a tutor. Rather than us introducing this article, we thought we’d like Grok do it himself:

How to Leverage AI Tutors for Effective Learning: Tips for Parents, Educators, and Students

AI tutors transform learning. They generate instant feedback and personalized lessons. While they are powerful tools, they don’t replace traditional classroom instruction. Instead, they can complement such. Students, parents, and teachers must be proactive in using AI to maximize its benefits.

The key lies in the balance. Use AI to enhance learning, not replace critical thinking or human interaction. Smart learning assistants are powerful allies. The challenge is knowing when to trust the technology and when to step back and think for yourself. (more…)

Education has come a long way since the focus on “reading, writing, ‘rithmetic”. In Ask a Tech Teacher posts, we’ve covered many teaching strategies:

• Behavior Learning Theory
• Depth of Knowledge (DoK)
• Flipped Classroom
• Frayer Model
• Growth Mindset
• Habits of Mind
• Mindfulness
• Orton-Gillingham
• Project-based Learning (PBL)
• Socratic Method
• Standards-based Grading
• Understanding By Design
• Unschool
• VARK model
• Visible Learning
• Whole Brain Teaching

Any of these might be perfect for your classroom. Today, we offer one more: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (more…)

The Ask a Tech Teacher team has written a great article on behavioral learning in the classroom. You’ll find out:

• What it is
• Keys to unpacking it
• Why it matters in education
• Examples in the classroom
• Techniques for applying it
• Challenges

Behavioral Learning Theory & Its Applications In Class

If you’re an educator or a parent, equipping yourself with knowledge of behavioral learning theory can transform your classroom dynamics and alter how you perceive the process of learning itself. If the entire concept is alien to you at the moment, hold tight as we talk you through the main aspects, and how they can hold relevance in modern teaching environments.

Introduction to Behavioral Learning Theory

Behavioral learning theory can sound complex, but it’s actually quite straightforward. It stipulates that all behaviors are learnt through interactions with the environment.

While biology may play a part, this theory focuses on acquired behavior and how your responses can change over time.

Conditioning is at the center of this theory, and it posits that humans learn by developing associations between their actions and the consequences they experience in real-time.

(more…)

What Student Assignments and Projects Are Considered Most Difficult: Myths and Truths

Are you a student who has ever wondered which assignments and projects are the most challenging? We’ve all been there, faced with daunting tasks that seem insurmountable. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the myths and truths surrounding the difficulty of student assignments and projects. By the end, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of these academic challenges, along with expert insights and tips to help you excel.

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