Behaviorist Learning Theory

The ultimate goal of teachers is for students to learn the information taught. Behavioral methods that reinforce the material are certainly important and still have a place in today's educational system. The Drill Method, for example, is certainly important in subjects such as Math. Here, students practice problems using the same method over and over until the master the material.

I personally am not a fan of tutorial programs or anything that replaces the actual classroom teacher. However, I do feel that they have a place in schools. These programs, though, should only be as an assistance to teaching the material. I am not a believer in using these programs in place of the teacher. Unfortunately though, with the state of the economy, this is the direction that I see some schools going.

In my PE classes, I use the Drill Method quite a bit. We are constantly either outside or in the gym, and we only take tests at the end of the semester. But, I teach them fitness concepts and I try to reinforce throughout the semester.