Operant Conditioning

The four types of operant conditioning are:

1.      Positive Reinforcement- An example of positive reinforcement is a student puts their books away and is sitting nicely waiting for the next activity. Then the teacher praises the student and the student continues to do that.

2.      Negative Reinforcement- An example of negative reinforcement is if a teacher takes away a final example if the student has perfect attendance.    

3.      Positive Punishment- An example of positive punishment is when a student disrupts the class then the teacher gives the student detention.  

4.      Negative Punishment- An example of negative punishment is when a student does not do their homework then the teacher takes away their recess, so the student can finish their homework.

I think when I become a teacher I may use all these tactics. I may not use negative reinforcement very often, because it is not very common, but the other ones are more common and easy to use. I think positive reinforcement would be the best one to use, because it is positive and rewarding. Therefore, the student will response better and it will be a more positive learning environment. Unfortunately when a teacher is stressed and frustrated with their students either positive or negative punishment will come into play faster than positive reinforcement. Positive or negative punishment is still good, because it still works and help the students do what you need them to do. It is just not a very positive environment.