The subtle art of applying positive and negative reinforcement in classrooms.
-By Dhanya Monson
In our busy schedule as teachers, we often forget the
joy of seeing our students smile when we appreciate them and encourage them to
do better. Positive and negative reinforcement are terms which are often
overlooked but are very essential to imbibe good behavior and values in
students. Positive reinforcement can be done in many small ways such as by
giving the child extra lunch time, assigning students with some task that they
would love to do, giving them certain responsibilities in class such as
assigning them as monitor for the month or by simply exempting them from doing
their homework. These small tasks can go a long way in making students realize
that their effort is appreciated and to encourage appropriate behavior in the
classroom. Negative reinforcement is often associated with giving corporal
punishments such as slapping, beating, pinching, humiliating the student by
making them stand on the desk etc. Negative reinforcement need not be such harsh
words/acts that may scar the student emotionally and psychologically but can
simply be practiced by taking away certain privileges that they enjoy such as
cutting short their lunch time, giving extra homework to be completed, taking
away the responsibility assigned to the student, if any or by canceling movie
hour in classroom until students model good behavior. These negative
reinforcement techniques can be much more encouraging. Students many not
remember the content we taught them but they definitely remember the words that
were spoken by us, teachers. Let us respect our students and teach them to be
kind, in an unkind and chaotic world.
-Haritha Babu,1931721,B.Ed A
Do you remember your favourite teacher from school? What makes them special? Was it because the teacher was able to relate to you well? Or was it because what he or she said made sense to you?
Having a strong student-teacher relationship enhances the student and teacher interest. It can solve possibly all the problems that the educations institutions face today, like- Attendance issues, absenteeism, drop outs, Toxic behaviour, relationships, life habits, etc. Having a teacher with whom the students can share all their views and problems- both academic and personal can help increase not only the liking towards the teacher, but also towards the subject. It will enhance the academic achievement of the students.
Not only does the students benefit from it, but also teachers. Once they know that they have built a good rapport with their students, they will have a yearning to teach the students better and be better prepared for the class. On the whole, a strong and positive student-teacher relationship can be beneficial to all the stake holders of education.
A good student-teacher relationship can be developed by simple means like, remembering the student’s names, finding extra time to converse with them, getting to know them personally and academically, etc.
Anything above a certain limit can be dangerous and so is a student-teacher relationship. Both the teacher and the students need to know where to put a full stop and maintain a distance. Getting into the teacher’s or the student’s personal life to an extreme level can be dangerous. Thus, a balanced relationship has to be maintained and made use of.
Inclusive Education by Harshita Pandey
Diversity is a fact and Inclusion is an Act.
Inclusion is not Tolerance, It is unquestioned Acceptance.
It is a belief that each and every child has a potential to build upon interests to share and experiences to build up. An inclusive environment is where students are comfortable to sit and share their point of views. All types of learners should be respected and are able to learn with each other. In a classroom a students should feel that each and every one has the capability to do things. In a classroom it is very important to see that every student is included in all the activities and programmes held in the school. Any students should not be left out. I personally feel Teachers always choose the bright student to take part in the activities. This should not be done there; each and every child has a capability and is unique too.
Being a pre service teacher I feel that it is very important to have a mind - set of inclusivity classroom and respect each and every student in the classroom. As a teacher I should use the technology in the classroom catering the student’s needs. As a future teacher I feel that all, the learners should feel welcomed in the class and develop on their own individual strength. I feel personally that I should know the students where they are facing difficulty and help them with it.
“All Students have some thing important to offer in the class room and that we really are better off learning”.
Experiential Learning by Kavya R
Experiential learning is when we learn from our own experiences. David Kolb, American Psychologist, and Educational theorist gave the theory of experiential learning. The four elements of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model are (i) concrete experience (when we encounter a new experience), (ii) reflective observation (when we reflect on experiences that we have encountered), (iii) abstract conceptualization (what we have learned from the experience, that we have undergone) and (iv) active experimentation (when we apply what we have learned to a new context). The main aim of experiential learning pedagogy is to develop the knowledge and skills of learning through experience. As a teacher, I am aware of the fact that providing mere information to my students is of no use to them as it is already available on the web. I have to take up the role of a facilitator who organizes a conducive learning environment that facilitates learning and equips them with the 21st century learning skills.
Experiential learning provides a hands-on learning experience where the students are active members in the learning process. According to me, field trips are an excellent example of experiential learning. As a Biology teacher, a field trip was the first thing that came to my mind when I thought of experiential learning. A field trip is an educational visit to a new place by the educator and learner outside the classroom. These trips provide first-hand experiences to the students and will enhance the learning by bridging the gap between the theory they learn in class with practical knowledge. It is a good idea to introduce a new concept by providing the students with an authentic experience. Field trips present the students with the qualitative and affective learning experience that pushes them to think deeply, understand, and reflect on it. During these trips, the students get an opportunity to learn new things at their own pace and immerse themselves in the process of learning by making connections between what they have learned without being apprehensive about the tests and exams that assess them based on rote learning. Field trips equip the students with the necessary learning skills like collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. The students learn to apply the knowledge that they have gained through the first-hand experience in a new context. This learner-centered approach encourages learners to take ownership of their learning. Experiential learning pedagogy keeps the students engaged throughout the learning process, which accelerates learning and enhances knowledge retention. The students develop a passion for the subject and will surely enjoy what they learn.
Motivating Students by Meenu George
I am a teacher born and bred, and I believe in the advocacy of teachers. It’s a calling. We want our students to feel impassioned and empowered. – Erin Grewell
Teachers not only work in the classroom as a student assistant, but also as a buddy who can provide their students with inspiration. The teachers should be a facilitator, motivator, and motivation for students focused on Student Oriented Learning that can develop the imagination and understanding of the student. Motivation in teaching is an essential process of effective teaching. We have to understand the need of motivation. Inspiration and guidance in classroom teaching to make the teaching more effective. Motivation is a very strong factor for the educators to educate the people. If the motivation is powerful and strong, the rest of process will be easy and comfortable. Students affect from the different factors. They attracts by different things. If they find anything attractive and useful, they pay a proper attention but if they feel anything useless they get tired and bored. So a proper motivation moves them to grasp the lesson carefully and seriously.
The cornerstone of the nation is called the teacher. The teachers are like a model for the students, so their actions have to be the right ones in front of the students, I think the teachers have to be so committed to their job because they need to pass on their passion for a better classroom setting, so they are like a second parent because we see them a lot of time.
I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. – Lily Tomlin
From my own experience, I have had such a wonderful teacher in my life. Eighteen years later, I still vividly remember that teacher’s name. His name was Shoji. He was class teacher when I was in sixth grade. I was generally introverted and never participated in any competitions. But sir forced me to take part in an elocution competitions held on the occasion of the school year. I was avoiding it because I had no experience of participating in such competitions before. But with the constant insistence, training and encouragement of sir, I was able to win. Over the years that followed, I was able to shine on the pulpits of the youth festivals. It was the encouragement and support that the teacher gave me that day that allowed me to achieve this success. That is why the teacher is still in my mind. Thus each of us should be able to become a teacher who raises and encourages our children. Through which we can change the life of each child.
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