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?

Yes, the teacher used reinforcement in her class. It was observed in the part of
2. teaching-learning process when the class activity and recitation began

Positive reinforcement was used by the teacher. She gave encouraging words or
praises like “Magaling!”, “Very good!”, and “Palakpakan!” were given to each
students every after correct recitation answers to encourage everyone to participate
in the recitation and activities. The teacher also initiated different kinds of clap like
Mommy Dionisia clap and Barangay Clap when each group acted the right action
word that was posted on the board.

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?

No, negative reinforcement was not used in this class. The teacher only utilized
positive reinforcement when dealing with the students.

4. What kind of punishment was observed?

The teacher did not use any negative reinforcement thus, punishment was not involved in
this class scenario.

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

The kind of conditioning that was utilized by the teacher is operant conditioning. She used
operant conditioning by implementing positive reinforcement towards her students. Each
time a student will answer her correctly, she will praise them by saying “Very good!” and
even repeating their answers for everyone to hear and understand the right information
that they are tackling. Yes, she utilized a very effective conditioning, and the students
were so active and so happy to participate in the activities.

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

The teacher introduced praises and acknowledgements to her students to elicit

response from them. It was done by asking a question related to the topic that was being
discussed, and when a student raised their hand and answered the question correctly,
she will give them a praise and even acknowledging the students answers by repeating
it to the whole class.

Key Insights:

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

The three most important learnings I have in using behaviorism in the teaching-learning
process:

1. I have learned that it is important to acknowledge first what does the students’
needs so that as a teacher, we can provide them the proper education or the
proper reinforcement to use for the whole class. The behavior of the students
will depend on what kind of reinforcement we will give.
2. Adjust. I learned that adjusting the teaching process and reinforcement are very
important aspect in teaching-learning process.
3. Every student is different from each other, we should always understand and
consider the things to implement before actually implementing them. Positive
reinforcement will not work in every student, so does the negative
reinforcement. The behavior of the students will act based on how you
conditioned them.

Portfolio Section:
 Provide documentation of your observation. You may include photo
documentation, materials utilized in the observation, technology used and other
relevant documents.
Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr5UUl_Mr_0
 Behaviorism Observation Checklist
Strength of Concept
Concept
Not Not Highly
Effective
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:
The teacher showed a great amount of effort in the class. She was able to teach them
in a fun and engaging way possible. The students are very much active and is able
answer correctly in every questions. Positive reinforcement is indeed effective in this
1st grade class. The students learned action words and remained behave the whole
class. They are willing to acquire new knowledge. Students showed great amount of
success in learning the target lesson.
Observable Evidence
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?