FIELD STUDY GUIDE in EDFS 21

Course Title: Field Study 1 - OBSERVATIONS OF TEACHING -LEARNING IN

ACTUAL SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT

Course Description: This is the first experiential course, which will immerse a future
teacher to actual classroom situation and learning environment where
direct observation of teaching learning episodes that focuses on the
application of educational theories learned in content and pedagogy
courses will be made. Observations on learners’ behavior, motivation,
teacher’s strategies of teaching, classroom management, assessment
in learning among others shall be given emphasis. A portfolio shall be
required in the course.

Course Outcomes:

1. immerse future teacher to actual classroom situation and learning environment

2. observe the teaching-learning process in the actual classroom setting

3. analyze different theories of learning applied in classroom setting

4. assess learner’s diversity in relation to teaching and learning

5. evaluate the teaching strategies utilized by teachers for specific field/area

6. appraise the assessment strategies employed by the teacher

Course Coverage

1. Theories of Learning
A. Behaviorism
B. Cognitivism
C. Social Learning Theory
2. Diversity of Learners
3. Strategies of Teaching
4. Classroom Management
5. Assessment in Learning
Chapter 1 : EDUCATIONAL THEORY

Observation No.1: Behaviorist Theory in Learning

Introduction:
 What educational learning theories are utilized by the teachers in class?
How these are used in the teaching practice?

In ancient Greece, Plato, asked the question “How does an individual learn
something new if the subject itself is new to them”. and Ever since, many theorists
have emerged regarding how students learn. These theories of learning or
educational theories are a set of principles that explain how best a student can
acquire, retain and recall new information. Basically, learning can be viewed into two
perspective: objectivism and constructivism. Regardless of the perspective, the fact is
that there are so many educational theorists, but they can be clustered in to three
major groups: behaviorism, cognitivism and social learning theory.

For this observation, we will focus on behaviorism. So, let’s get started.

Learning Outcomes

1. observe behaviorism applied in the conduct of class

2. identify part of the lesson/teaching behaviorism is applied

3. analyze how behaviorism is utilized in teaching-learning process

4. synthesize the advantages and disadvantages of behaviorism in the

classroom

Observation Guide

1. Locate a classroom setting where a class is ongoing. You may also

utilize a pre-recorded class.

2. Ask permission to the teacher-in-charge that you will be conducting an

observation.

3. Observe the class and be guided by the provided checklist.

Reflection Questions

Answer the following questions. Write your answer on the space provided.

1. Did the teacher use reinforcement in the class? Which part of the teaching-learning
process it was observed?
2. What kind of reinforcement was observed?

3. Did the teacher use punishment in the class? Which part of the teaching-learning
process it was observed?

4. What kind of punishment was observed?

5. What kind of conditioning was utilized by the teacher? Is it effective?

6. What stimulus was introduce by the teacher to elicit response from the learners?
How it was done?

Key Insights:

Describe the three most important learning you have in using behaviorism in the
teaching-learning process.
Portfolio Section

Provide documentation of your observation. You may include photo

documentation, materials utilized in the observation, technology used and other
relevant documents.

Behaviorism Observation Checklist

Strength of Concept Concept Observable Evidence
Not Not Effective Highly
present Effective Effective

Conditioning

Classical conditioning
Operant conditioning
Stimulus
Example of stimulus
Variety of media
Variety of strategies
Reinforcement
Examples of reinforcement
Reinforcement schedule
Shaping/Chaining
Immediate feedback
Reward contingent on
behavior
Student/Teacher Behavior
Learner active participation
Teacher questioning-
Check for understanding
Student Observation Notes:
Is there a stimulus being
presented to the learner that
elicits a response alongside a
stimulus that does not?
Is there a reward or punishment
being introduced following a
desired or undesired behavior?
Something introduced into the
environment that the learners can
respond to.
Multiple ways to introduce new
material: recordings, photos, text,
etc.
Multiple ways to teach a desired
behavior: aural, visual, kinesthetic,
etc.
Token reward system in place,
verbal or visual positive
reinforcement or punishment
Is the teacher consistent with the
rewards and punishments they
are presenting?
Does the teacher break the
desired behaviors down to
manageable parts?
Does the teacher provide timely
feedback when a student
performs
appropriate/inappropriate
behaviors?
Do the rewards/punishments
coincide with the behavior the
teacher is trying to encourage/
discourage?
Are learners engaged in the
learning? Are they asking
questions and on task?
Is the teacher asking questions
that the learners can relate to the
objectives?