Activity 2.3

Summary:

Skinner (1984) addressed concerns regarding education in that not a lot research focuses on how students learn. He proposed that the school system be redesigned in a way that will allow the time used on education to be spent more efficiently and allow teachers and students to teach and learn more effectively. He emphasized the benefit of technology, namely the use of “teaching machines”, to improve the implementation of academic material.

Would Skinner still be ashamed of American education today?

Although some improvements may have taken place since 1984, Skinner may still be ashamed of American education today. I believe a lot of teachers today still struggle with being able to teach students effectively. I always think about standardize test scores and how educators rely too much on standardized test scores in order to determine students’ success. Even today, I feel like individuals are giving too little consideration to how students learn and what motivates them to want to learn

What would he think of the School of One approach?

Skinner would probably agree with the School of One approach. In his article, Skinner (1984) stated “stop making all students advance at essentially the same rate” (p. 951). The School of One approach adds in this issue of which Skinner was speaking of. It allows students to excel at a pace that is suitable for them and get the individual attention that they need. This approach also relies heavily on the use of computers and technology; therefore, it allows teachers to be more present in the students’ instruction where they are needed the most. This is another point that Skinner (1984) highlighted in his article. Also, he stressed the idea that computers would help students learn what they need to know in “half the time with half the effort” (p. 948). Based on the video, it appeared that this particular goal was being met and that the students were more engaged and attentive to instruction.