Psychology for the Classroom: Behaviourism Psychology for the Classroom Series

Psychology for the Classroom: Behaviourism describes and reflects upon the foundations of behaviourism and the proliferation of behaviourist techniques in common practice today. Through examples drawn from research, presentation of theory, description of pedagogy and illustration by vignette, the book informs teachers and allows them to modify their teaching in order to take account of what is now known about the way that carefully planned curriculum and appropriately reinforced behaviours lead to learning. There is a particular emphasis upon the role of the traditional principles of behaviourist learning theory and practice to contemporary issues and strategies in e-learning.

The author has taken a broad sweep of what has been written and promoted to educators in the area of behaviourist theory and practice, and the result is an informative and potentially very useful guide which should be read by all of us who are interested in, or responsible for, planning and encouraging effective teaching and learning.

Chapter 1. Introduction The language of behaviourism Post-millennium views of behaviourism The people of behaviourism Refuting the critics of behaviourism The nature of behaviourism Behaviourism is… Summary Activities Chapter 2. Research Research with animals Repetition and rote learning Learning from example Behaviour modification under scrutiny Providing models for behaviour Self-participation in behaviour change The impact of reward and praise Summary Activities Chapter 3. Theory Classical conditioning Stimulus, response and consequence Operant conditioning and schedules of reinforcement Observational learning by modelling behaviour Punishment, impact and alternatives Verbal behaviour and dealing with language Summary Activities Chapter 4. Pedagogy The characteristics of a behaviourist pedagogy Behaviour modification through positive reinforcement Creating a curriculum Enhancing the interventions Avoiding the limitations Reducing unwanted behaviours Summary Activities Chapter 5. Strategies Strategies of a behaviourist teacher House points and the lottery draw Basic skills; basic methods Shaping and modelling in ICT teaching SEAL, sanctuary and self-efficacy Teacher training, social engagement Improving the learning environment Computerisation of the curriculum The challenging class Summary Activities References Index

John Woollard is Lecturer in Information Technology Education in the School of Education at the University of Southampton. He has previously taught in both primary and secondary schools. He now researches teaching and learning with computers.