Dear Steemians and educator,
It has been a few weeks not writing on this platform. Today, as my comeback from my other writing project, I would like to write an educational writing about Positive Reinforcement.
Burhusm Frederick Skinner is a figure who introduced the theory of positive reinforcement. According to him, the most important thing ini learning process is how to encourage students with specific stimulation toward positive behavior. Therefore, teachers are always required to be able to provide stimuli in various learning activities in the classroom so that students are stimulated to learn maximally. Stimuli can be given by teachers in both verbal and non-verbal forms.
Positive reinforcement is a stimulus provided by teachers to students to encourage them to become better at learning, or they can maintain their learning achievements.
In the teaching process, we as teachers usually provide positive stimuli to students in the form of praise for what they have done. In other cases, we can can also provide positive stimuli in the form of rewards s for students who have done something well. By giving such a gift or praise, students are expected to be motivated to continue to learn or maintain their learning achievements.
a case example of positive reinforcement in the real world can be found in many ways, especially in schools. For example, a class of 20 students is required by the teacher to complete a project, Go Green Campaign as an example. The teacher asks students to make a poster. Later, students in groups designed the Go Green concept that they wanted to campaign with the material they would present based on the concept. The teacher asks students to make a poster. Later, students in groups design the Go Green concept that they want to campaign with the material they would present based on the concept. Teacher informs them that the group with the best concept and campaign will be published on the school wall magazine.
After each group present their Go Green concept, the teacher appreciates and encourages the other students to applaud the group. At the same time, the teacher encourages other students to ask if there is a Q&A session.
Based on the above case example, we can explain some positive reinforcement models found in the above learning activities:
Giving stimulation in the form of rewards can be seen from the teacher's instruction that the best presentation will be published on the school wall magazine. Such this stimulus will encourages students to collaborate maximally with their group mates. They are aroused to cooperate well for their Go Green campaign concept to be published on a wall magazine.
The teacher provides a verbal stimulus such as appreciating student presentations. In this model, the teacher can say praisewords like "good", "well done," Amazing work "or others.
The teacher encourages students to appreciate their friends by clapping their hands. So their friends feel appreciated for their work in their groups.
By deciding "Go Green" as students' project, the teacher gives opportunity for students to enrich their insight into the environment through self-learning. it is hoped that students will use their knowledge and concepts in their lives in protecting the environment.
However, in some cases the teacher also needs to pay attention to the stimulus given to the students. Because negative reinforcement can emerge as the antithesis of positive reinforcement. For example, teachers give inappropriate verbal speech that leads students to be reluctant to learn. Or, the teacher gives tasks that are not possible done by students which then make them stress.
(a teacher and writer)
