Dealing With Students' Behaviors Using Classroom Management Theories Essay

Classroom management theories including learning behavior theory are the foundations through which teachers can develop emotionally safe classroom where all students can learn. For instance, learning behavior theory helps in creating suitable instructional interventions for management of routine misbehaviors, increasing intrinsic and extrinsic behavior, and encouraging positive social interaction, self-motivation and active engagement. An example of a situation that could benefit from the use of learning behavior theory is Carol's scenario who has some behavior issues. Some of Carol's major behavioral issues include talking a lot, especially off the subject matter, poor concentration when she thinks the lesson is boring, being distracted by her friend, Frankie, and the need to be reminded to get back to her work.

Carol's Negative Behaviors:

One of Carol's major problems in the classroom is talking a lot, mostly off topic or the subject matter, which results in her constant interruptions of the learning activities in the classroom. From the perspective of learning behavior theory, Carol's problem can be attributed to her conditioning. This theory postulates that learning takes place when there is a change in behavior and is usually based on conditioning in the learning environment ("Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanist Approaches," n.d.). Conditioning is usually based on the provision of a reward following a desired response or behavior. The reward in turn acts as a reinforcer and enhances the probability that this behavior or response will be repeated. Based on observations of the classroom, there is lack of conditioning or reinforcement that addresses Carol's problem of getting off the subject matter and interrupting constantly.

Since Carol's problem of getting off the subject matter and constantly interrupting is attributed to conditioning, an antecedent for this behavior would be to provide a reinforcer for positive or desired behavior in the classroom.This process involves using cues that will tell Carol the desired behavior to be reinforced. The most appropriate type of reinforcer to use in Carol's case is fixed interval reinforcer, which will be given after a fixed number of positive or desired behaviors. However, the reinforcer will generate positive behavior from Carol if there is punishment for negative behaviors to prevent or remove an undesirable behavior or response.

Carol's situation requires urgent attention because getting off the subject matter and interrupting constantly has serious consequences on the class. One of the major consequences of the behavior is that the student may fail focusing on the subject completely and re-direct the attention of her classmates. This may in turn lead to poor performance during exams by making it difficult for all students to learn. The other consequence of Carol's behavior is that she would make it difficult for the teacher to teach and control the learning environment. If Carol's behavior is not controlled, learning does not take place because other students are affected.

In light of these circumstances and the need to solve the issue, Carol's behavior could be mitigated by the use of an appropriate instructional intervention. Based on an analysis of the situation, Carol seems to be having problems in concentrating and tends to perform well when concentrating in learning activities. Since the goal of the instructional intervention is to re-focus Carol's attention to the learning process, differentiated instruction is the most appropriate strategy in this scenario.….....