Operant conditioning is a learning theory developed by B.F. Skinner that uses reinforcement to shape behavior. It works by rewarding desired behaviors, making them more likely to reoccur. For example, Skinner conditioned rats to press a lever by rewarding them with food each time. Teachers can apply this by rewarding students for good test scores or homework with classroom rewards like prizes or computer time. This motivates students to achieve in order to receive the reinforcement, benefiting their learning.
2. WHAT IS IT?
• Operant Conditioning describes learning that is controlled and results in shaping
behavior through the reinforcement of stimulus-response patterns.1
• In other words:
Rewarding the desired behavior will make the behavior more likely to happen.
2
1. Integrating Technology and Digital Media in the Classroom, sixth ed. pg. 369
2. http://www.pacon.com/edu_aids/classroom_aids/images/RewardSticker_Boy.j
pg
3. WHO THOUGHT OF THIS?
• The pioneer in this learning theory was B.F. Skinner (1904 – 1990). He
conducted experiments in which he rewarded the desired behavior of the
subjects and therefore saw them behaving in the desired manner.
• For example: Skinner placed a rat in a box with a lever. As the rat moved
about the box, and the rat would move the lever, a food pellet would
immediately fall into the box. The rat soon learned that by moving the
lever, a food pellet would be expelled. The reinforcement represented by the
food pellet assured that the rat would move the lever again and again.
1
1. http://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
4. HOW IS THIS HELPFUL FOR
TEACHERS?
• Teachers can use the principal ideas behind operant conditioning to motivate a
student to do well by reinforcing positive and good behavior in the classroom
with learning and testing and at home with homework and studying.
• For example: A student may earn classroom dollars for each A they get on a test.
These classroom dollars can then be used to purchase goodies from a treasure
chest that’s filled with items priced according to their value in classroom dollars.
Students will be motivated to earn an A on a test in hopes of being able to
purchase their desired item from the treasure chest.
• By reinforcing (classroom dollars) good behavior (earning an A on a test), the
student is more likely to want to earn an A.
• In a technology classroom, a student could be reinforced with internet game time
minutes instead of classroom dollars. Students that earn an A could use the
awarded minutes to play computer games while in the classroom. They could
even accumulate these and build up to an hour of internet game time!
5. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT
STUDENTS?
• Students benefit under this theory because they are motivated to do well.
• Students are going to want to purchase something from the treasure chest in the
classroom or they are going to want internet play time during classroom time
and without knowing it, they are going to try harder to get that A and going to
want to do it again and again.
1
1. http://www.everypicture.com/shop/books/e55b8d1789356ed4a06d1ed3ae2e81bd/jeremy%26%23039%3Bs-
reward.jpg
6. FOR MY OWN TEACHING?
• This theory is incredibly helpful for my own teaching. It will allow me to
think of different ways in which I could motivate my students by
reinforcing their excellent behavior in hopes of motivating them to do well
in their schooling.
• This theory could be manipulated in so many different ways to apply to
many different subjects and grade levels that virtually EVERY teacher be
influenced by operant conditioning in order to better the chances of
student achievement.
