Behaviorism and its Impact on Learning Theories Introduction The first systematic study of human behaviorism . Behaviori- em advocates that principles of learning apply equally to humans and to animals , therefore, that research finding from experiments on animals can be applied to human principally learn in the same way . Additionally, behaviorists maintain that all animals and human mind is A black tablet at birth environmental factors shape human behaviors.
Transcript
Behaviorism and its Impact on Learning Theories
Introduction
The first systematic study of human behaviorism . Behaviori-
em advocates that principles of learning apply equally to humans and
to animals , therefore, that research finding from experiments on
animals can be applied to human principally learn in the same way .
Additionally, behaviorists maintain that all animals and human mind is
A black tablet at birth environmental factors shape human behaviors.
Contributions of Early Theorists
Several theorists have made major contributions to behaviori-
sm , such as Pavlov ,Thorndike ,Watson , Guthrie , Skinner and others .
1-Ivan Pavlov
Pavlov is noted in the professional literature for his work in
Conditioning .He conditioned dogs to salivate not only to food but, al-
So environmental stimuli . His experiments were based on stimulus-
response model .
2- Edward L . Thorndike
Thorndike believed that the major components of learning
are stimuli responses and the connections between them . he called
this approach connectionism . He is applying psychological principles
of learning to developing lessons, teaching and evaluating the effect-
iveness of teaching .
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3- John B ,Watson
John Watson called the father of contemporary behaviorism .
Watson who first called for the scientific study of the psychological
Process by focusing on observable rather than non-observable beha-
viors . He believed that past experiences provided an underlying im-
petus for nearly all behaviors .
4- Edwin R .Guthrie
Guthrie s work was based upon John Watson s theory it
emphasized stimulus – response (S-R) connections he only produce
one major publication.” The psychology of learning” published in
1935 .
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5- Burrhus Frederic Skinner
Skinner was the major contributor in psychology in this
century . Skinner s work in behaviorism and behavioral engineering,
His principles of operant conditioning have been used in research and
in clinical and therapeutic setting .
Mastery Learning
Mastery Learning which is based on the behaviorist approach,
Is one of the most instructional model of twentieth century. According
to Guskey and Gates (1986) indicated that Mastery Learning significan-
tly the achievement of children engaged in this process .
Mastery learning is based upon the behaviorist s approach and its
Requires that students learn one lesson well before proceeding to
The next lesson .It is based on operant conditioning concept of
Shaping .
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Mastery Learning Defined
Mastery learning is an educational theory developed by
Bloom using the basic principle that children can learn when provided
With conditions that are appropriate for their learning styles . Mastery
Learning is a theory about teaching and learning that is closely tied to
a set of instructional strategis .
Components Of Mastery Learning
In support of Slavin s position Ormrod (1999) reflected that
for Mastery Learning to be effective an instructional plan should inclu-
de following components :
1- Instruction should be broken down into small, manageable,
discrete units .
2- Units must be sequenced so that basic concepts and procedurs
are learned first to build a foundation for more complex concept.
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3- Students must be mastery of skills at the conclusion of each unit
through tests or other objective measures.
4- Students must receive a clearly articulated description of concrete
Observable criteria for mastery of each unit .
5- Students who need additional remedial and \or activites must
receive them in order to master the units .
Proponents and Opponents of Mastery Learning
Many studies have shown that the quality of instruction in
Effective schools consistently points to the components of mast-
ery learning as integral parts of successful teaching and learning.
According to Guskey (1987) many school systems believe that the
Implementation of mastery learning can indeed lead to striking
Improvements in a wide range student learning outcomes .Seve-
Ral studies have found mastery learning to be of significant ben-
efit for low achieving children .
The research indicates that when mastery learning strate-
gies were used in conjection with corrective techniques, achi-
evement gains were noted .
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The Hunter Model
The Hunter Model an instructional method , based on a beh-
avoirist approach .This Model dominated views of teaching into the
1980 and commenced trend toward an increased focus on develop-
ment of staff instructional techniques . The effect of the Hunter Model
resulted in development of highly structure teacher – centered class-
room.
Hunter s seven steps in designing instructional
strategies and lesson plans. The steps include
f0llowing :
1- Anticipatory set .
2- Statement of objectives .
3- Instructional input.
4- Modeling .
5- Checking for understanding .
6- Guided practice.
7- Independent practice .
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Critics Of Mastery Learning
Arlin, Berlier ,Prawat ,Slavin these authors claim that students
who learn quickly receive less instruction than their classmates .
The Disadvantages of Mastery Learning are Summarizes
Below:
1- The effect of mastery learning is far greater on experimenter
made tests than standardized tests .
2- Mastery learning restricts the teacher s ability to cover other
areas or objectives that are not part of the unit objectives .
3- High achieving students are held back in group mastery learning
Programs until the majority has reached mastery .
4- Mastery learning only teaches to a test .
Behavior Analysis
Skinner is the major researcher associated with the behavior
analysis model .He brought quantitative experimentation to a specific
level .The behavior analysis model it applies in the classroom .Its incl-
udes gathering and data clearly defining undesirable behavior ,called
target behavior . in order to shape the target behaviors objectives must
be chosen defined and committed to in writing
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Computer Technology and Technological services
Today widely used computers as educational process . Benefits
from using computers to improve the performance of children in the
Content areas have been well documented .
-The Advantages Of Using Technology In the
Classroom:
1- Teachers in computer labs are better able to teach classes of
students with divergent abilities .
2- At one sitting ,a can literally visit a website in virtually any country
3- Students can choose the computer to help them to complete
assignment that are functional and real .
4-Since classrooms are information rich environments ,the computer
offers a slow students an opportunity to sit down and repeat the right
answer as many times as possible .
5- Video conferencing can connect one class via camera and
computer screen , with a class in another wing of the school .
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Integrating Technology In The Classroom
The Alliance recommended the integration of technolo-
gy to support four theories of learning :
1- Learning Occurs in context .
A student viewed an interactive video that presented math-
maticl problems ,the student had to use mathematics to solve
The problem .The experiment clearly demonstrated how previou-
sly learned skills and content can be transferred to solve new
problems .
2- Learning is Active
Educators must experiment and create innovative approach-
es to involve learners by permitting students to make connection
Between what they know and solving new problems through
constructing meaning from their experiences .
3- Learning is Social
Instructional programs to support social skills should be designed
to develop cooperative activities among students .According to
Scardamalia and Bereriter (1984), a computer supported Intentio-
