Behaviorist Theory

In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works, Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski recommend teaching your students the importance of effort. One route to do this is keeping a log of effort put forth and results achieved from those efforts. I feel like this is an interesting concept that could work for many classrooms but may not be practical for all. I teach Art in K-5. It would be very difficult fo kindergarteners to understand the effect that practice would have on their art skills. This is mainly because they are not developmentally at a level where their art skills are going to increase greatly. No matter what the amount of practice, their fine motor skills are only devloped so far. However, in an older classroom, I think this could be a very useful tool. Keeping an effort versus achievement log is a great way to help steer your students toward intrinsic motivation. In a previous class on Classroom management, the general consensus was that extrinsic motivation works but students could come to rely on outside triggers for motivation. A chart where the students prove to themselves the positive effect of added effort is a major first step to developing the students' intrinsic motivation.

Resources:


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