Though many of us may think that we only follow cognitivism or constructivism, the reality is that we all use behaviorism principles in all our learning content. The thing is we actually don’t realize that we are following the behaviorism principles.
As an instructional designer, we extensively use these principles, it is deeply present in our semi conscious mind. In this blog, I’ll try to highlight how you can add behaviorism principles to your learning platform for optimized and effective learning.
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- Topic: Humans Of EdTech
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An approach that lets you reach a known destination is termed as behaviorism principle. In this the outcome is known beforehand, learning is said to take place when the learner reaches the desired outcome. While designing the course the instructional designer makes sure that it is behaviorism oriented so that the learner may easily find the guidance to reach the assigned result.
The basic assumption which every instructional design follows is that there is only one correct answer to reach the outcome. This may sound a little firm but the approach should be the same that is behavioristic. The instructional design’s approach is based on the reactions received by the eLearning material when interacting with the learner.
The reactions or the feedback received from the learner are very important as the type of reaction received decides which behavior is to be reinforced and which to be weakened. I would say that instructional design which is based on the behaviors, principle works better when the unwanted behavior is removed. In this way, the learner easily reaches out to the desired destination and the objectives of the eLearning course are also achieved.
Before applying the behaviorism principles to the eLearning course, the instructional designer should keep one thing in mind that if you are the driving force behind the progress then reinforcement will take place. Now highlighting some ways to add behaviorism principles to the eLearning platform. They are as follows:
1. Iteration
Visuals have a deep impact on the learner’s mind. You can use the instructional methods of audio or video presentations in a virtual classroom and courses on the eLearning platform. It is seen that learners learn more by audio or videos making the learning more efficient and fruitful.
A better understanding of the subjects and the concepts will eventually help them to analyze the matter that they have learned. The best thing about the behaviorism principle is that it only measures responses to the information present so you can easily develop material that supports drill tasks.
For example, you can present a series of tutorial steps of any teaching concept having an expected or known outcome. The step-by-step video will let the learners easily understand the concept and they can then practice on their own. Secondly, a video presentation is the best way to let the learners repeat the same thing.
It is there where an instructional designer comes in an action by making the theoretical lengthy and boring concept into a fun and engaging video. You can also allow drag and drop interactions for a better view of the learners, as this would help them to copy or repeat the concept in the right sequence. The behaviorism principle allows the learners to reach the known outcome by following some connections.
2. Recognize the feedback.
Feedbacks are a valuable asset that lets you improve and grow simultaneously. You should always remember that reinforcement is the backbone of the behaviorism principle. We all know that eLearning platforms do not have real-time interactions but the interactions are done via webinars or video calls. So receiving the reviews physically is not possible so the feedback is received virtually.
These programmed feedback acts like a trigger to be reinforced when the learner answers the questions correctly. The certificates or recognitions given to the learner on ant achievement promotes intrinsic reinforcement that not only lets the learner engage but also active in the upcoming courses. Feedbacks can be considered as the easiest form of conditioning, having great importance in the entire process of eLearning.
3. Measuring the responses regularly.
By regular measurement of the responses, the learners can easily see their growth and keep track of it. Learning checks of the lessons makes the learning more easy and powerful, it also increases the retention power of the learner. You can also take the help of the activities at the end of every module or course commonly known as challenge end modules.
In this, the students get a challenge that could be in the form of quizzes or MCQ based where the learner can easily recall things that they have learned previously in their course. The learners sometimes also need such activities or challenges to showcase their talent or knowledge gained.
4. Gamification or game-based eLearning.
The best advantage of the eLearning platform is that it can add as many options to its course to promote better learning. Integration of features helps in increasing engagement and interest of the learner in any course and the user experience is also enhanced. One such integration to an eLearning platform can be the addition of games to it.
Gamification entertainingly presents the eLearning material. Gamification is that feature that allows the learners to gain knowledge along with having fun. It provides visual cues in the form of badges, grades, points, or higher positions which signifies the achievement of the learner. The instructional designers could add a feature of leaderboards or hall of fame where the names of the top performers could be displayed. This feature contributes a lot to reinforcement and recognition.
Conclusion
We all know that eLearning is the learning of the present as well as of the future, so you cannot afford to ignore it at any cost. The instructional designer can take advantage of it and apply some simple behaviorism principles to make the eLearning productive and fruitful. It is a valuable approach that one can use to have an effective eLearning.
Photo by olia danilevich from Pexels.
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