Behaviorism (Melissa Standridge)

I believe that Mrs. Standridge did a good job preparing this article, she explained in detail all the things that someone would need to know, if the knew nothing at all about behaviorism. She was very detailed in explaining the positive and negative reinforcements, also how the educational system can use behaviorism to manipulate your children. I agree with the majority of the things in this article but I have a hard time with people comparing children to rats, you should not have to manipulate children into acting the right way. As an educator if you do your job correctly with some enthusiasm and excitement, then kids will pay attention and not act out, but if you the same old mono-tone math teacher that sounds like Ben Stein then kids will get board and find something to get into. An electric atmosphere in the classroom should be all the positive reinforcement are children need. They alzso talk about Modeling, this would fall into the same category as what I explained earlier, children aquire traits from observing the people around them the most at a early age, with more excited teachers and exicting classrooms then children to will become more excited to be in the classroom. As for shaping and cueing all educators are taught to do these things and as long as you put forth energy in your lessons then children will respond the way you want them to. You are in control of the classroom, if you act like a sheep hearder then your students will act like sheep and aggervate you all day, but if you act like a rock star then they will treat you like one and hang on your every word.