Although research on learning tends to focus on instructional strategies related to subject matter, students' beliefs and attitudes have a significant effect on their success or failure in school. Reinforcing effort strategies address students' attitudes and beliefs. Most students are not aware of the importance of believing that their level of effort is related to their achievement. When students are rewarded or praised for achieving specific goals, their level of achievement is higher.
Homework and practice are related, connected by the context when students are learning on their own and applying new knowledge. Homework and practice both provide opportunities for students practice, review, and apply knowledge. It also enhances a student's ability to reach a level of expected proficiency for a skill or concept. Research referenced from our resources indicated students need to practice a skill 24 times to reach 80% competency, with the first four practices yielding the greatest effect. Research on homework indicates that it should be approached not as an afterthought to the school day, but as a focused strategy for increasing understanding. Practice means students are engaged in applying new learning, often repeatedly. The goal of practice is for students to get as close to mastery as possible.
These instructional strategies portray the behaviorist learning theory because with “reinforcing effort” one is reinforcing desirable behavior by rewards and praise and with “homework and practice” one is repeatedly practices desirable behaviors and thus being successful.
References
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). [Webcast]. Behaviorist learning theory. Baltimore: Author.
Smith, K. (1999). The behaviorist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2010). [Webcast]. Behaviorist learning theory. Baltimore: Author.
Smith, K. (1999). The behaviorist orientation to learning. In The encyclopedia of informal education. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/biblio/learning-behavourist.htm
I also was amazed that students must repeat a skill 24 times before they reach 80% proficiency. I would thought 5-10 times. I am trying to think of ways now to incorporate my previous topics into my students jumpstart everyday so I can reach that 80% proficiency. I just read an article that discussed formative assessment. I believe homework practice and formative assessment go hand in hand if it is done correctly. I plan to modify my lessons to cover these two topics.
ReplyDeleteHomework is one of the issues that is talked about the most amongst parents and teachers. I feel as though homework is important however like you stated it needs to be used as a means for extending and enriching a student’s understanding of the material taught in class. I recently had a parent that became very frustrated at the fact that she had to help her daughter with the homework. However, also as you stated it takes a student 24 times to practice a skill for them to get to 80% competency. As a teacher this was hard for me to hear from this parent, as I don’t understand how homework and parent support is something unreasonable to ask for. There is so much that is to be taught and covered that there is not always time to make sure everyone is at mastery, so the homework that is assigned is essential in focusing learning and further understanding of the material.
ReplyDeleteReinforcing a student’s effort whether it be by the teacher or parent is important, it sets our students up for success by giving them the information as what is wanted or not wanted. In order for our students to feel about their education and their experiences in and outside of school we need to take the time to reinforce what they are learning and what is being done well. I enjoyed reading your post and found the information you provided to be very enlightening!
Thanks for your comments Demetria and Lisa!
ReplyDeleteYou are completely right how students and parents for that matter do not really know the importance of homework and practice. Just last week I was on the phone with a parent because her child missed four assignments in a row! I told her how they are extra practice and that is why I assign them. Since our conversation the student has done every homework and it has been 90% or more accurate. I now only wonder if the student completes the work because of the call or because they truly see the importance of homework and skills.
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