SKILL OF REINFORCEMENT

SKILL OF REINFORCEMENT

INTRODUCTION:

                        Reinforcement is used to promote learning and to draw the attention of the students. It also provides a greater motivation to the students.  The student’s behavior should be approved by the teacher and then they would feel motivated to participate with great enthusiasm. Reinforcement would also initiate the learner in the instructional activities.  The academic activities which are given by the teacher should very meaningful so that the learners can get full benefit from them.

Components of the skill of Reinforcement

Ø  Positive verbal reinforcement                                  (PVR)

Ø  Positive non-verbal reinforcement                           (PNVR)

Ø  Negative verbal reinforcement                                 (NVR)

Ø  Negative non-verbal reinforcement                         (NNVR)

Ø  Extra verbal reinforces                                             (EVR)

Ø  Repeating and rephrasing pupils’ responses          (RRPR)

Ø  Writing pupils answers on the black-board.           (WPSB)

Ø  POSITIVE VERBAL REINFORCEMENT  (PVR)

The teachers have to use verbal or linguistic expressions in order to reinforce learning.

                        For example: “Good”, “Yes”, “Correct”, “Fine”, “Very Good”, “Well Done”, are stated by the teacher if the student has answered well in order to reinforce him/her. 

                        Sometimes words and phrases like ‘go on’, carry on’, ‘go ahead’, and ‘continue’ etc. can be used by the teacher to encourage the student in order to continue his/her answer.  The important points given by the student can be re-emphasized or highlighted by the teacher.

POSITIVE NON-VERBAL REINFORCEMENT (PNVR)

When a teacher uses gestures and performs behaviors to reinforce the students’ responses, it is known as positive non-verbal reinforcement. 

                        This component has four elements:

                                    (a). Nods and smiles,

                                    (b). Moving towards the responding pupil,

                                    (c). Giving a friendly look, and

                                    (d). Writing pupils’ responses on the black-board.

                        The teacher gives gestures in order to reinforce the student’s behavior.

NEGATIVE VERBAL REINFORCEMENT (NVR)

Expressions like “wrong”, “no”, “incorrect”, “not true”, “foolish”, “nonsense”, “shut up” are some of the examples of negative verbal  reinforcers. 

                        The use of certain undesirable reinforcers can strengthen the occurrence of a particular behavior.  The negative verbal reinforcers should not be used extensively in order to facilitate learning.

NEGATIVE NON-VERBAL REINFORCEMENT(NNVR)

This type of reinforcers is used by the teacher in order to make the students to be aware of certain undesirable behaviors. 

                        This can be done through such behaviors like ‘frowning’, ‘widening of eyes’, ‘nodding the head’. ‘tapping impatiently with hands’, ‘avoiding the particular pupil and moving away from him’.

EXTRA VERBAL  REINFORCES ( or) CUES (EVR)

Sometimes the teacher uses the utterances; ‘aha’, ‘humm’ etc. to encourage the pupil continue with his answer.  These cues are given when the pupil’s response is lengthy.  Preferably, such cues may be given at places where the pupil has uttered significant words and phrases.

REPEATING AND REPHRASING PUPIL’S RESPONSE (RRPR)

Teacher repeats the correct response of the pupil or rephrases it for the benefit of the pupils in the class. Such behaviors have reinforcing effect on the pupils, but the teacher should repeat only those answers by the pupils which are novel and significant.

WRITING PUPIL’S RESPONSE ON THE BLACK-BOARD (WPSB)

Teacher may at times write correct and original pupil responses on the black board to give reinforcement to the pupils.

                                                                                            

                                                                                              BY

V.ESAKKIAPPAN  M.A., M.Ed., M.Phil.,

Asst. Prof. in History Education.

   UCE, Vallioor.