Another mistake on NR

Published on 23 February 2011 in Other Sites, Teaching b mod and Understanding. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

Here’s another oopsie on “negative reinforcement.” This one is from a site that’s discussing the application of behavioral principles for the business environment, so it’s a little afield for us, but I’m throwing it into the pot anyway. At least it shows that it is not only we educators who make this mistake. In the article, the author N. Nayab (edited J. Scheid) gets several things right, but makes the usual confusion between negative reinforcement and punishment:

Skinner’s behavior modification theory holds that reinforcement, either positive, or negative shapes behavior. Providing positive reinforcement for changing behavior to desired levels through appropriate and effective rewards, and or providing negative reinforcement such as punishments or discouraging signals for undesired changes in behavior, or sticking to status quo helps employees make the appropriate behavior modifications.
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Wrong about negative reinforcement

Published on 26 January 2011 in Classroom management, News, Other Sites, Press, Teaching b mod and Understanding. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , .

I was happy to note that several students in the first meeting of my introductory class this term knew that negative reinforcement does not mean punishment. Sadly, I happened to come across another example of folks perpetuating that very misinformation.

Over on wiseGEEK, a relatively long-standing Internet source that provides answers to questions, there is an article that addresses the question, “What is behavior management?” Hey, it caught my eye!

Behavior management is a type of behavior therapy that aims to control negative actions by preserving a level of order and direction. This approach to dealing with behavior change is largely practiced by those working in the field of education, specifically those who work with special needs children. Behavior management is employed to better help individuals or groups make positive, healthy behavioral choices.

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GBG in HS

Published on 22 December 2010 in Classroom management, News and Research. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , .

When repeatedly confronted with evidence about their effectiveness, some who drag their feet about using behaviorally based methods might reluctantly concede that such procdures would be effective in certain circumstances. For example, someone might agree that there is an abundance of evidence that the Good Behavior Game can be used effectively and even concede that employing it with young children has long-term benefits, as evidenced by the strong reviews of an intervention that includes the GBG by the Top Tier Evidence folks. “But,” one might imagine them saying, “That technique would never work with older students. It’s just too childish. Adolescents would see right through it. They’d just laugh at you.”

Baloney!
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Arts and b mod actually can mix

Published on 2 December 2010 in Classroom management and News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Perhaps it’s just my perception, but I think a lot of people see the arts and behavioral principles as antithetical. That is, one who embraces the arts holds philosophical views that are incompatible with behaviorism. Of course, this is not true, from my point of view, but I’ve suspected that others considered it true.

Even if it is true on average, I came upon another exception to the rule. Over on Diversified ART , Anita Dallar presented a set of recommendations for teachers that incorporates important elements of basic behavior modification principles. Ms. Dallar, who apparently both makes art and teaches art making, posted the article under the title, “Applying Positive Behavior Modification – A Quick Reference for Teachers.” Give it a read!

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GBG implementation grant

Published on 24 November 2010 in Classroom management and News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Here’s a winning story from a little while back. Under the headline “FdL School District receives $500,000 grant,” the Oskkosh (WI, US) Northwestern reported that a local education agency will be using grant funds to implement the venerable Good Behavior Game (GBG) in its classrooms. The leadership of Fond du Lac School District has already adopted a positive behavior support system, and the GBG will fit right into it well. Notably, the Fond du Lac schools folks adopted the GBG before it recently received renewed recognition from the US Top Tier Evidence organization.

The Fond du Lac School District recently was awarded the Prevention Practices in Schools Grant.

The award is for $100,000 a year for five years.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, awarded the grant to allow the district to implement evidence-based prevention practices in schools, according to a school district press release.

The purpose of the program is to prevent aggressive and disruptive behavior among young children in the short term, and prevent antisocial behavior and the use of illicit drugs in the longer term.

The district will be implementing a program called the Good Behavior Game, which is a behavioral classroom management strategy that involves helping children learn how to work together.

Read the full article, “FdL School District receives $500,000 grant.” Learn more about Fond du Lac School District. Check out coverage on Teach Effectively about Top Tier Evidence recognition of the GBG.

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Mandeville High teaches good behavior

Published on 22 November 2010 in News and Press. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

According to Kenneth Mathews of nola.com, Mandeville High School and other schools in the St. Tammany Parish local education agency in Louisiana (US) are using positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS) procedures to teach students appropriate school behaviors. In an article under the headline “Positive Behavior takes hold at Mandeville, other schools,” that appeard 19 November 2010, Mr. Mathews described multiple situations that might seem out of the ordinary but that were actually examples of students benefitting from their own successes as a part of the PBIS programs employed in their schools.

On any given day at Mandeville High School, a ninth-grader might be seen walking confidently to the front of the senior lunch line, cutting in front of the upperclassmen and receiving his lunch first without the slightest complaint from the seniors. The next day, that same ninth-grader might be given a free lunch and the grace to make up a missed homework assignment.

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