The discussion on behaviorism has closed.
Below are some of my thoughts on behaviorism I would like to share with you. The
importance of drill and practice relates to the notion of automaticity. In order
to perform complex intellectual tasks such as reading, writing, and solving math
problems, it is essential that learners master sub-skills to the level of
automaticity. It means that learners should be able to perform these sub-skills
without thinking or automatically. If one writes, one needs to master spelling
of vocabulary and sentence structures. To solve complicated math problems, one
needs to master basic calculating skills and formulas. Once I talked to my
friend who was studying for her Ph.D. in math. She told me that math did involve
lots of memorization. Please do not misunderstand. Drill and practice is a
component of learning, not everything about learning. One’s working memory is
limited in capacity. One can only process limited numbers of mental operations
at a time. It affects the operation of higher order skills if too much memory is
devoted to operating sub-skills. The mastery of sub-skills will free working
memory so that more working memory can be devoted to operate higher order
skills. Comparing with paper drills, computer drills have the following
advantages: Computer drills are fun. It is boring to be drilled. No one likes to
be drilled. Computer drills integrate games into drill and practice. While the
learner is playing games, the learner is being drilled. Computer drills provide
immediate feedback. Time is always an issue to drill students in classroom
settings. With too many students in class, the teacher finds it difficult to
provide adequate time to drill each student. If students drill themselves, they
might make mistakes without being corrected immediately. The mistake might
perpetuate itself. Computer drills provide learners immediate feedback. Mistakes
are corrected immediately. Computer drills remove psychological barriers in
student drilling process. If students are drilled in class, it is quite
humiliating for students to make mistakes in front of the class. Computer drills
can remove this psychological barrier. No one knows that the learner makes a
mistake, but the computer. Computers never get tired. Students can practice and
repeat a skill as many times as possible.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
How to Achieve Success in the Online Course
This is my teaching blog for this course. I hope this blog can offer another
communication channel to assist you in this course. This blog will be the forum
for me to offer tips, strategies and guidance so that you can be successful in
this course. It is normal for students to experience a certain level of anxiety
in taking an online course, especially if it is the first online course you are
taking. However, you will gain experiences navigating and functioning in the
online learning environment as the course moves along. Here are a few
suggestions for you. Hopefully, you find them useful.
1. Lots of students think that the online course takes less time and efforts. It is a misconception. Contrarily, you need to spend more time and efforts in the online course. The online course is text-based. We write a lot slower than we talk. For example, it takes more time and efforts to participate in class discussions online than in face-to-face discussions. However, the pay-off is the flexibility of time and place. You do not need to travel to the campus for most class sessions and you can choose the most convenient time for your learning.
2. You need to log in at least twice a week. Ideally, you should log in every other day to keep yourself well informed of all the development in the course. When a mail is sent through the blackboard, it does not go to your Internet mailbox, it remains in the blackboard vista. Therefore, you do need to check your mail from time to time so that you do not miss any information. You do not need to stay on line for two hours and a half at one time. You can space your time between log-ins.
3. Come to face-to-face meetings. Bring all of your concerns and problems to face-to-face meetings. Face-to-face meetings are helpful in clarifying student confusions. You’ll learn new technology skills that you’ll need to complete your assignments. You will also have opportunity to meet your group members face-to-face to discuss group projects.
4. Read, read, and read carefully. The online course is text-based. Therefore, you need to spend time reading all the instructions carefully. Pay attention to the deadlines for the assignments and class discussions. Points would be deducted for late assignments. Worse, once a discussion closes, no one is allowed to post any more. Read carefully about the instructions for each assignment and discussion. Follow instructions. All the assignments are posted online for the whole semester, which should help you to plan your time and work throughout the course.
5. Communication is the key. There are various ways to communicate with me. I have set up a "Faculty Office" where you can post your questions. You can e-mail me if you desire. All the questions and mail will be answered within 48 hours. 6. This is a discussion-based course. All the assignments are based on class discussions. Without participating in class discussions, you will not be able to do your assignments. We also have group projects. Your discussion performance is seriously evaluated. Follow discussion rules. Rules are posted for each discussion activity.
1. Lots of students think that the online course takes less time and efforts. It is a misconception. Contrarily, you need to spend more time and efforts in the online course. The online course is text-based. We write a lot slower than we talk. For example, it takes more time and efforts to participate in class discussions online than in face-to-face discussions. However, the pay-off is the flexibility of time and place. You do not need to travel to the campus for most class sessions and you can choose the most convenient time for your learning.
2. You need to log in at least twice a week. Ideally, you should log in every other day to keep yourself well informed of all the development in the course. When a mail is sent through the blackboard, it does not go to your Internet mailbox, it remains in the blackboard vista. Therefore, you do need to check your mail from time to time so that you do not miss any information. You do not need to stay on line for two hours and a half at one time. You can space your time between log-ins.
3. Come to face-to-face meetings. Bring all of your concerns and problems to face-to-face meetings. Face-to-face meetings are helpful in clarifying student confusions. You’ll learn new technology skills that you’ll need to complete your assignments. You will also have opportunity to meet your group members face-to-face to discuss group projects.
4. Read, read, and read carefully. The online course is text-based. Therefore, you need to spend time reading all the instructions carefully. Pay attention to the deadlines for the assignments and class discussions. Points would be deducted for late assignments. Worse, once a discussion closes, no one is allowed to post any more. Read carefully about the instructions for each assignment and discussion. Follow instructions. All the assignments are posted online for the whole semester, which should help you to plan your time and work throughout the course.
5. Communication is the key. There are various ways to communicate with me. I have set up a "Faculty Office" where you can post your questions. You can e-mail me if you desire. All the questions and mail will be answered within 48 hours. 6. This is a discussion-based course. All the assignments are based on class discussions. Without participating in class discussions, you will not be able to do your assignments. We also have group projects. Your discussion performance is seriously evaluated. Follow discussion rules. Rules are posted for each discussion activity.
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