Experienced teachers make decisions about educational practice using Essay

Experienced teachers make decisions about educational practice using their understanding of a range of theories about learning. No one theory provides all the a - Essay Example There are four important perspectives in learning theories, behaviorism, humanism, constructivism and cognitivism. In education, behaviorist theories maintain that learning is the result of ‘operant conditioning’ which is a process and both investigated and named by B F Skinner. The word ‘operant’ is used to explain the way in which behavior of an individual operates in a particular person. According to behaviorism theory, behavior of an individual may result either in punishment or in reinforcement. If the behavior results in reinforcement, then chances of same behavior occurring again are higher, at the same time, if a behavior results in punishment, then its chances of happening again are very remote. But we should remember that the issues related to punishment or reinforcement are quite complex. For instance, a punisher or reinforcer is identified within behaviorism by its effect on behavior. So, a punishment may not be regarded as punishment if it does not result in the reduction of a specific behavior. Therefore, behaviorists generally concentrate on measurable ch anges on behavior. ‘Operant conditioning’ uses the consequences of behavior to alter the form of behavior and its occurrence. It basically deals with modification of voluntary behavior. It generally, creates five consequences such as positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment, negative punishment and extinction. It is important to note that it is not the individuals who are reinforced or punished; rather it is his or her response which is reinforced or punished. In ‘operant conditioning’ context, the terms positive and negative are, generally, not used in their popular meaning, but rather positive means to addition and negative refers to subtraction. 4. Negative punishment: -It occurs when a response (behavior) results removal of a