Educational Psychology
Teaching Resources

Behavioral Theories of Learning

Behaviorism Webquest

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Step-by-Step Process

Task 1: Choose one of the following situations:

Read the three situations below and choose the problem that holds the most interest for you.

Situation A

Eleven-year old Claire writes remarkably well for her age. Her work shows a creativity and maturity of thought uncommon in elementary school. However, she is failing writing because she rarely turns in homework assignments and occasionally fails to complete classroom work. The work that she does complete is often riddled with spelling and punctuation errors and her handwriting is atrocious. You have talked with Claire and with her parents on several occasions. She claims that she simply forgets to finish her work.

Situation B

Ten-year-old Kelly is an average student who seems to enjoy school and the social community of the classroom. Unfortunately, she enjoys the company of the other students so thoroughly that she can’t stop talking to her neighbors, or even to the kids across the room. Her frequent disruptions are beginning to wear on you and to annoy many of the class members. Kelly is almost always good-natured and always agrees to try harder when you remind her to be quiet, but the problem only seems to be getting worse.

Situation C

Eight-year-old Dustin is reading well below grade level. He attends resource, but he doesn’t seem to be progressing. Dustin shies away from any classroom activity that involves reading—he looks terrified whenever you ask for a volunteer. You can see that he is beginning to retreat into himself. He doesn’t interact much with the other children and he tries to melt into the background when you are calling on students.

Task 2: Review the following theories of Behavioral psychology:

As you probably suspect, there are hundreds of websites that could provide you with educational theories and models that might be helpful as you consider your particular problem. For the purposes of this exploration, limit yourself to the principles of behavioral psychology found in the websites listed below. Explore the links that are provided and choose a theory of behavoiral psychology that seems to provide a workable solution for your particular problem.You are certainly welcome to employ the principles of more than one theory as you try to solve your problem.

Skinner's Operant Conditioning

Task 3: Create at least one solution for your problem:

The real solution to any problem is likely to be as complex and interesting as the people involved. We do not mean to suggest that any one principle of educational psychology will provide an easy and definitive solution. However, for the purposes of this exercise, try to come of with at least one concrete idea, based on the principles of operant conditioning, that you can implement in an effort to solve your particular problem.

Be introspective, creative, and realistic. Consider the possible strengths and weaknesses of your solution. Discuss the implications of the solution that you have chosen and how it will potentially effect the student, the other students in the classroom and your own teaching. Discuss why you think you have chosen a sound solution and offer any insights you might have gathered from other teachers who have encountered similar situations. Be sure to include information about the theory on which you are basing your solution.