Chapter Three Reflection

3. Explain a behaviorist's view of learning and how it influences teaching and learning today.
Many behaviorists believe learning is motivated by external experiences. It is an accumulation of bits of knowledge, which need to come in a sequential order, because they will build upon each other. This affects teaching, because teachers need to keep in mind what the students have already learned, as well as how that experience has affected them. Knowing a student's ability and attitude helps teachers understand how best to approach the subject to enourage the student's learning.

One question: I understand we want to build upon the knowledge the students have, but in an introductory American literature class, like a survey class studying content covering a large time period, how do we best sequence all that information so that it makes sense.

As a teacher, I will need to keep this in mind when I try to organize content for the students to learn. For example, when I talk to my students about poetry, I have to assess their previous knowledge and experiences. That foundation will help me when we (I and the students) explore the subject in greater depth. If I understand how they feel about something, I'll know how to maybe present the new information in a positive way, making the connection between the old and new a good experience. Making learning a positive experience will encourage students to further their understanding and investigations.