Module 3

This week for module 3, we had to read chapter 7 and chapter 13, also watch a video about classroom management. In the Woolfolk text, we read about behavioral views of learning (chapter7) and creating learning environments (chapter 13). Even though the video was from 70 years ago it still had information about classroom management that can help teachers today. 

In chapter 7, Woolfolk introduces us to four different types of behavioral learning processes: contiguity classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. According to Woolfolk (2016), "the principle of contiguity states that whatever two or more sensations occur together often, they will become associated" (p.254). This happens when a stimulus is introduced and later initiated by a response. Woolfolk (2016) states, " classical conditioning was discovered by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist who was trying to determine how long it took a dog tp secret digestive juices after it had been fed" (p.254). Pavlov conducted the famous experiment of the ringing of a tuning fork to condition the dog to salivate upon hearing the ringing. He found out that will time and effort he was able to change the dog reacted to different stimulus. The next topic that was covered in this chapter was operant conditioning and this is all about trying to elicit new responses. Operant conditioning consists of people learning to behave a certain way as they operate within an environment (p.256). According to Woolfolk (2016), "B.F. Skinner was responsible for developing the concept of operant conditioning, he believed that we learn to behave a certain way because of the environment they are in" (p.256).  On page 257, Woolfolk gives a great explanation of reinforcement, behavior, reinforcer, strengthened or repeated the behavior. There are two different types of reinforcement positive and negative. Woolfolk (2016) states, "positive reinforcement occurs when the behavior or response produces a new stimulus, it is the contingent presentation of a stimulus following a response" (p.257). While on the other hand, negative reinforcement is when the consequences that strengthen a behavior is the removal of a stimulus (p.257); this is better explained in figure 7.1. As teachers, we must be aware and understand how to use the correct reinforcement and behavioral learning based on what will benefit our students the most in a positive way. 

Chapter 13, Woolfolk focuses on many different topics such as creating learning environments, bullying and cyberbullying. The two main things that I took away from this chapter regarding classroom management was pace and effective teaching. Woolfolk (2016) states that "movement management means keeping lessons and the group, moving at appropriate (and flexible) pace, with smooth transitions and variety (p.503). I believe that this is a trial and error system; we need to find what works for all of our students. In chapter 13, Woolfolk states "  Effective teachers maintain their management systems by preventing problems and keeping students engaged in productive learning activities" (p.501). I think that this is very important because if the student is not engaged in their learning the might act out or disrupt the class. The last thing that Woolfolk talks about in this chapter is bullying and cyberbullying. According to Woolfolk (2016), 10 percent of all students are victims of bullying (p.508). As teachers, we must be aware of bullying and cyberbullying. We must be able to teach our students that it is never ok to bully one in person and especially online.  I think that bullying and cyberbullying are still going to happen with schools but we need to come up with ways people can handle the situitations and also teach our students that any form of bullying is never ok.