Two strategies that I reviewed this week in my coursework for my master’s degree (Integrating Technology into the Classroom) are supported by principles of behaviorist learning theory. “According to behaviorists, the learner acquires behaviors , skills, and knowledge in response to the rewards , punishments, or withheld responses associated with them” (Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. 2008).
Reinforcing effort in student performance can be linked with technology as easily as using data collection tools in the classroom. “A powerful way to convince students that effort is truly tied to achievement is to show them data—not just data on themselves, but also combined data groups that they associate themselves with” (Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. 2007). Using online tools and electronic devices students can gage their own progress and see how effort effects achievement. This is something I can do in a physical education setting. Students who work out in the weight room and log their reps, along with their body mass can soon associate their workout efforts with the physical changes in their bodies.
Using homework and practice, is also another behaviorist approach that can affect learning. Web resources are one strategy that can be carried over into the classroom. At an early childhood setting students can use games in a tutorial setting to reinforce the learning that is taking place in their classrooms. This could be applied to my older physical education students by using technology applicable to them such as blogs, and podcasts. Students are accessorized with various electronic devices in the high school setting and could easily access information through these.
Lever-Duffy, J. & McDonald, J. (2008). Theoretical Foundations (Laureate Education, Inc., custom ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
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Your idea to have students log and track their performace and then evaluate the data to see how their efforts produce results is a great way to show students how effort leads to achievement. Students will become more motivated since they can connect effort in a personal way. What other ways can you adapt this activity to include other students that are not weight lifters?
ReplyDeleteHaving students keep track of their exercises and weight lifting and the weight they loose and the change in their body is a very great idea. It is an excellent use of technology! What other ways do you have in mind to use technology that you want the students to keep track of? I think it is so cool that a physical education teacher is really working to use technology. Now, do you have something else for those students who don't want to work out or does everyone have to do it? What do you do for the students who can't do the physical things? I am curious. You are doing a good job. Congrats to you for doing something new in physical education.
ReplyDeleteTami Phipps
I never really thought about how technology could be integrated in physical education. I like the idea of using it to record and track progress. In response to Tami's comment about those students who are not athletic, could you use the records to show a student how he or she is progressing?
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes we have a narrow viewpoint of what technology in a classroom means. I have learned about so many new ways to use to technology in addition to using it in lessons.
JLowe,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response! In this situation the class is a weightlifting class but in my physical education classes I have a fitness week. During this fitness week we compare their results with the presidential fitness challenge. These activities involve flexibility, muscular strength, agility and muscular endurance.
Joel
Air Force Mom,
ReplyDeletePhysical activity is a requirement for the class. Although, if they have come down with a sudden injury that does not permit them to execute the activities then I usually integrate a written assignment on something pertaining to fitness.
Joel
Jparker119,
ReplyDeleteWell, the biggest misconception about physcial education that I dislike the most is that a student has to be athletic to do well in the class. This is completely false! I am teaching my students to find something that will benefit their own personal health. They are always competing against themselves and not against other students or standards. So, to answer your question it would be yes they are using this to compare and get better results to see how they are progressing against their own records.
Joel