Using Technology to Reinforce Effort

In this post I will be discussing the role of technology in both reinforcing students effort and also the role of technology in homework and practice.  I will also be relating the role of technology to the behaviorist learning theory.

In this weeks reading the important role technology can play in reinforcing student effort was discussed.  Technology can be used in a variety of ways to increase student effort in the classroom.  Using technology to create effort rubrics can provide students with a valuable learning tool (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).  Students are able to understand what type of effort is expected of them by having it spelled out in a effort rubric.  The chapter references how Ms. Powell then uses the effort rubric in a spreadsheet where students chart their weekly progress.  Students are able to see immediate and long term effects of effort in the classroom (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).  This type of reinforcement has a direct connection to the behaviorist learning theory.  By providing students an opportunity to provide positive and negative feedback to themselves, teacher's like Ms. Powell are reinforcing positive behavior through self analysis.

In this weeks reading I was also introduced to the role of technology with homework and practice.  This week's reading states "technology facilitates homework and practice by providing a wealth of resources for learning outside of the classroom" (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).  There are a variety of technologies which can be used with homework and practice such as word processors, spreadsheets, multimedia, web resources, and communication software.  For example, spreadsheet software allows students to chart numbers and can show students slope, or paraboles.  Students can use computers to play educational review games (Pitler).  There are a variety technological resources which can reinforce student learning outside of the classroom.  Another example of technology which can be used effectively outside of the classroom is Google Docs.  Google Docs allows for one user to create a document and others can collaborate with them, or a teacher can give instant, direct feedback outside of the classroom (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).

Technology has a growing place both inside and outside of the classroom.  Technology can also be easily adopted into any learning theory.  Since this week we are specifically focusing on the behaviorist learning theory, technology can be used to provide positive reinforcement to students through the use of self analysis spreadsheets.  Technology can also provide students with opportunities to continually practice a skill through interactive games and simulations (Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, & Malenoski, 2007).

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.