Two instructional strategies that embed technology include "Reinforcing Effort" and "Homework and Practice." Effort is the most important factor in achievement. Research shows that the level of belief in self efficacy plays a strong role in motivation for learning and achievement. Reinforcing effort enhances students understanding of the relationship between effort and achievement by addressing their attitudes and beliefs about learning (Marzano, p.155). The behaviorist learning theory focuses on reinforcing effort. Since some of our students come from diverse family situations where sometimes there is little or no focus on education, these students may not realize the importance of effort and believing in themselves. So we have to use reward strategies to get them to believe that they can. It is our responsibility as educators to not only teach content but to teach the hidden curriculum to our students. Homework and Practice give students a chance to review and apply what they have learned. Homework should be relevant to their classroom experience because we want them to do their work independently with little or no help. As always feedback is vital. Feedback should be meaningful. Comments such as 'nice job' and 'great' are considered weak. Feedback should also be given within reasonable time for it to be effective.
We also have to give enough time for practice. In the teaching of subject such as mathematics it vital that students be provided with as many examples of varying degree and be allowed to practice as many questions in order to reinforce learning of a particular topic. Marzano, in his book, Which Strategies will Help Students Practice, Review and Apply Learning, says 'students need about 24 practice sessions with a skill in order to achieve 80% competency (p. 187)
In looking at the correlation between homework and practice and reinforcing effort we can incorporate technology effectively. Sometimes technology can become mundane and tedious. By careful planning and integration it can aid in students learning. Even if my school has been classified as schools in need of improvement, technology can help to achieve this. If we engage in meaningful technology activity that has clear guidelines and students have a clear understanding of the task they need to complete then technology will prove to be an effective learning and reinforcement tool.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi Nicky,
ReplyDeleteI agree that plenty of practice and specific feedback is very helpful for a subject like mathematics. Have you ever tried multi-media projects and games to help reinforce concepts?
Multimedia projects can help strengthen a student's understanding of a concept, because teaching others is one of the best ways of learning something. It could also help make some concepts more memorable to other students.
A site with some interesting math games is http://www.coolmath-games.com/index.html. If you had some time in a computer lab you could have a high-score contest in a game related to the subject you are covering.
What do you think?
RC
Hey Coach C,
ReplyDeleteI do use games to reinforce learning. The text we use in Algebra has an online version and the students are able to log on to www.mathbits.com and log in to Algebra1 which is what we are studying. The games include battleship, jeopardy among others. Thanks for the website you offered. I will definitely be looking at it and implementing some competitive sports with my class.
COuld you further clarify on the multi-media project you are talking about? Do you or have you taught math? If so to what level? I kind of find it hard to find many online games and interactives for high school math. Maybe we could share.