"TPE 2.2: "Create learning environments (i.e., traditional, blended, and online) that promote
productive student learning, encourage positive interactions among students, reflect
diversity and multiple perspectives, and are culturally responsive."
productive student learning, encourage positive interactions among students, reflect
diversity and multiple perspectives, and are culturally responsive."
Initial Thoughts
1. Why do you suppose Zach and Alexandra can’t stay on task and are so easily distracted?
Some student’s do not function well in the traditional classroom setting. These two student’s already have IEPs in other subjects of school, however, their math scores are at grade level, therefore, this leads me to believe that there may be a few problems that are easily fixable. Perhaps these student’s have never learned how to sit down and focus, perhaps they do not know how to stay on task when they are doing well in a class? There is no hard work to understand being done, therefore, they get bored and their minds wander.
2. What might Ms. Torri consider to help her students stay on task and also help her regain some lost instructional time?
Ms. Torri may introduce some alternative teaching styles for these student’s. She may allow them to take periodic “breaks” in the classroom when they are feeling like they cannot focus. This is probably best implemented as incentive based rewards where they can take one five minute break for every 15-20 minutes of work they are doing without being off task. She may introduce alternative seating arrangement’s, like stools or ball chairs. Once the student is occupied, she can focus on getting her other student’s at the right place in their work.
Assessment
1. Discuss three advantages of using a self-directed behavior strategy rather than using a teacher-directed behavior strategy.
Free’s the teachers time to address the needs of other students.
Student is more involved and encourages the responsibility of their own actions.
Encourages self-control
2. Give two examples of behaviors for which self-regulation would be an appropriate choice for a teacher to use. Explain why they are appropriate.
If a student has an inability to focus on schoolwork and is caught staring out the window, daydreaming for most of the class. The behavior of daydreaming is recognizable by the student, and the student seems to do well on the assignments when they are working. They can also recognize when they are doing this by being strict with where they are staring. The teacher can assess what is the trigger for this behavior, bring it to the student’s attention, and the student can then use a planned strategy to help them focus. If a student continuously gets out of their seat to talk to a friend across the room. The student is able to understand the rule of staying in their seat, when they feel like they need to stand or are having trouble concentrating on their work, they are able to ask for help with this or at least ask for permission to get out of their seat and pace the classroom without bothering other students.
3. Give two examples of behaviors for which self-regulation would not be an appropriate choice for a teacher to use. Explain why they are not appropriate.
A student who falls asleep during class due to issues at home or due to medication changes. Self-regulation would not be appropriate for this student because they cannot control this behavior. If there are issues at home or medical problems, these issues need to be addressed first, before the student can regulate their own behavior. A student who is violent during recess once or twice per week. This behavior does not happen often enough and is more compulsive for the student. They may not know exactly why they want to fight or what exactly triggers the. It is also done a recess where teachers have less control over student behavior, therefore, self-regulation strategies would not be appropriate.
4. Discuss the advantages of each of the four strategies highlighted in this module.
Self-Monitoring- Provides immediate feedback, engages the student in their own regulation, increases student awareness of their negative behaviors. These things are important for long term success of the student. They will not always have a teacher with them to help them with Teacher led regulation, therefore, in order to have a lifelong understanding of their own learning strategies, they must be taught how and when to implement them.
Self- instruction- Uses language to self regulate their behavior. This not only helps with the student memory, but also gives them a plan that they can focus on to complete their work. It also allows them to implement strategies for their own learning. They can control the steps they take towards their learning, therefore introducing certain aspects that work for them and leaving others out.
Goal Setting- This offers structure for the student’s self-regulating behaviors. It offers them control over what they are working towards, therefore, allowing them to express what is important to them. It also provides feedback on progress. The student can be assessed and self-assess where they are one their way to their goal. It also gives them control over the difficulty level of the goal.
Self-reinforcement- This strategy gives the student even more personal control over the rewards they receive. It is a skill that can and should follow them into adulthood. They are actively involved in their own learning and can impose the rewards as often as they would like. This can allow them to reward themselves sooner for more difficult or tedious tasks if they wanted to.
5. What techniques will help Alexandra and Zach become independent learners, and how can they gain those skills?
Alexandra can use self-monitoring techniques to control her behavior. She can be spoken to about the behavior that is unacceptable and be given instruction on how to monitor herself. Once this is done, she can then use goal setting and self-reinforcement to reward herself for the target behavior.
Zach can use self-reinforcement and goal setting to make himself stay on track. He can track and see his own progress towards his goal and periodically reward himself when he reaches each step of his progress. This will serve him into adulthood as well.
"So You Want to Teach "Bad Kids"'
