Behaviorism in the Classroom

Teachers use behaviorism in the classroom on a daily basis.  Homework is a great example of a behaviorist teaching strategy.  Students practice a skill until they have mastered it.  According to Pitler, Hubbell, Kuhn, and Malenoski, "students need about 24 practice sessions with a skill in order to achieve 80 percent competency" (Pitler et al., 2007, p. 188).  During these practice sessions, teachers need to give timely feedback to reinforce the skill.  It is essential that teachers recognize errors early in the process so students are not practicing the wrong thing.


Many students need to be instructed on how their effort correlates to their performance in class.  This is another form of reinforcement.  Teachers are able to have students track their effort using a rubric.  They can graph their effort with their quiz grades to see the positive correlation.  This correlation is another type of reinforcement for the student.  If they are not putting in the effort, they will see the impact on their grade.  


Once a skill has been taught to students, teachers are able to use technology to reinforce that skill.  I have found that games a wonderful way to engage my students and have them practice  a skill that I have taught in class.  Math games are one way that I have my students reinforce their learning.  http://www.coolmath.com/ is a great website for a variety of skills.  




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