Operant Conditioning

Operant conditioning is a powerful framework for classroom managment which was first introduced by B.F Skinner a famous behavioural psychologist (1904-1990). Operant conditioning is supposed to work on a system of reinforcement and punishment (i.e., reinforcement for behavior to be increased, punishment for behavior to be discouraged.)  Punishment should be used effectively. 

Learning about Operant Conditioning makes me reflect back on my personal experiences about when I have seen Operant conditioning in place for classroom management. In grade five I remember my teacher having a prize raffle table. Every time a student did something right or handed in homework on time or did well on an assignment he would give us a ticket worth different amounts. We would collect them and at the end of the month he would have a prize table with prizes that cost different amount of prices. This is an example of Operant conditioning because it rewards good behaviour with an award and influences children to do well to reach the goal  in order to receive the reward. Negative is also stressed in operant conditions, like threatening to send the child to the principal's office or threaten an detention on the child. It is known though that positive reinforcement is more powerful then negatives. Two common concerns about operant conditioning include: the concern of manipulation on the child or wondering what the child is actually learning from being rewarded. For example the child isn't doing something well because he or she realizes it is important to be a good citizen in society but rather doing the appropriate task for the reward.

Overal I believe that operant conditioning is effectively when used properly and will be helpful as a future teacher. Having said this I want to make sure that I reward students and concentrate more on the positive behaviour rather then the negative or bad behaviours that the children are displaying.