Carol, whose husband teaches HS Math and Science asks:
Category: OC in the Class Room ¤
  Author: Debi Davis, Elizabeth ¤
   Title: Two More Classroom Experiments ¤

I would love to see him try some simple R+ methods in
>his classes and to use some Conditioned Reinforcers. Does anyone have
>a really *simple* method he can quickly put into action with a minimum
>of effort?<<

My husband's kids (he's also a HS math teacher) are REALLY responding to
the "geo Dollars" (reward markers, made up like monopoly money to be
handed
out randomly for great behaviors) this year. Tonight he is doing an open
house, and is giving out extra $5 geo dollars for the students who get
their folks to come to the open house. In addition, he had some real
problems with attendance, homework, kids ducking out to go smoke or do
graffiti in the bathrooms. Since he has introduced geo-dollars, the
attendance has markedly improved, bathroom passes are at an all-time low
(only 2 asked for all semester so far!), and the kids are trying to "out
great-behavior" each other to be the one to get the random geo dollar.
Now,
when the bell rings, the gang kids aren't hanging with their buds, but
flying to their seats just in case Mr. Loose may be handing out geo
dollars.

You know what? Tim, my hubby, has had a major attitude adjustment over
this. He is coming home more cheerful, and is really enjoying the
increased
attention from the students, the questions they are now asking (he clicks
them for asking questions too!--anything to get them to participate), and
actually looks forward to going to school in the morning. He's not as
depressed. He loves those kids so much, but could never seem to get them
truly motivated before. This has bypassed his wildest expectations.

Debi Davis

>I've been wondering since you first posted about this.  What do the kids
>get for their Geo dollars?<<

Hi Kathy!
   The kids can choose from many things: pencils, pads of paper, sodas,
fruit, choice of music that day, etc. as well as save up geo dollars for
grade points, bathroom passes.
Last night at open house he had nearly TWICE the normal amount of parents
attend, and each parent got a $5 geo-dollar for their child.


and ....

My husband finally agreed to try "clicker" training (w/o the clicker) 
in his classes this year.  He teaches English (composition, World 
Lit, English Lit, 18th c. English lit) at a state  university.   I 
gave him some posts describing Deb Jones' and 
Helix's experience doing this, made some suggestions based on clicker 
training (he's a trainer, too, but new to clicker stuff), and  he 
started in.

The first week, Marc used mostly candy to reinforce any 
responses, regardless of quality.  He jackpotted everyone who had the 
book on Day One.  He reinforced people who asked questions, 
volunteered responses, etc.

Then he went to variable reinforcement and then raised the criteria.  
More than 1/2 way into the semester, he is now reinforcing most 
people for a pretty high level of sophistication in their 
contributions to class.

However, there are some people who have either been punished more 
previous to his class or who are just shy (or not as bright).  He 
reinforces them for stuff the other students probably consider pretty 
minor, but interestingly, no one complains.  They seem to understand 
that FOR THAT PERSON, that was a good contribution.

About 3 weeks into class, Marc started using coupons.  I made up a 
bunch on the computer -- they are printed on yellow cardstock and 
have a big, lit-up lightbulb on them.  They say "Congratulations!  
This coupon redeemable for good stuff."

Marc randomly allows them to redeem the coupons for extra points on 
quizzes, for extra "sick" days, etc.  They are hoarding the coupons 
and working VERY , VERY hard to get them!

A few weeks ago, someone stayed after class and talked to Marc for 15 
min. about something in one of the texts just b/c she was interested 
in it.  Marc came home and thought about it and the next day, went up 
to her in class, thanked her for the interesting discussion, and gave 
her a coupon.

That day after class there were THREE students who stayed to talk 
about the literature!  :-)

Marc's  more cynical colleagues say he's "bribing" them.  Horse 
hockey.  They are LEARNING.  Because they want coupons, and knowledge 
is what gets you coupons, they do the reading!  Because better, more 
thoughtful responses get you more stuff, they THINK about the 
reading.  This is far more than anyone else has been able to 
accomplish at this school, believe you me! 

He's now got them so interested in Greek tragedy that they BEG to do 
scenes from the plays.  Go figure, huh? ;-)

And best of all from MY perspective, he's happier than he's ever 
been.  I've never seen him so relaxed at this point in the semester 
(they have a very heavy teaching load and little appreciation, so it 
can be rough).  But this semester, Marc seems to complain less, to 
talk about how smart a student is, or how well someone did something, 
far more often.

Elizabeth
eteselle@geocities.com
Paws Plus Dog Training