Strengths & Weaknesses of Behavioral Approach in Instruction

Behavioral approach in instructional design has been utilized since the beginning of time; rewards for good behavior, punishment for negative behavior, and the giving and taking of away of rewards based on correct or incorrect responses. Positive aspects of this approach include, but are not limited to: consistency, clear and defined expectations, structure, and the ability to measure outcomes ("Behaviorism in education: What is behavioral learning theory? ,"2023)

In what areas of the school library can this approach be beneficial to learners and what positives outcomes does this approach yield?

Behavioral approach in instructional design has long been criticized as it is widely believed that this approach ignores higher-level thinking, critical thinking, the ability to solve complex problems, and focuses on correct or incorrect answers based on one answer or approach to a problem. Weaknesses to this approach include, but are not limited to; inducing stress, anxiety and fear in learners when "correct" behaviors are not displayed, damage to students' self esteem when an "incorrect" answer is given (particularly in front of peers), less opportunities for creativity, and its inability to adapt to various learning needs and styles (Behaviorism in education: What is behavioral learning theory? 2023).

What area of the school library utilizes this style with negative results? How can this be changed and what positives will be yielded from this change?

There are various strategies that can be utilized when implementing the behavioral approach into instructional design. These strategies include, but are not limited to: Direct Instruction (allows for repetition & practice), Token Economy (tangible incentives for positive behavior), Prompting & Fading (guiding students to the correct answer with prompts and decreasing prompts as learning takes place), and Behavior Contracts (outlining specific goals and rewards to be received when goals are met) (Behaviorism in education: What is behavioral learning theory? 2023).

Choose one of these strategies and relay how this can be useful in the school library and what positive results would likely be yielded from implementing this strategy.

The behavioral approach theory tends to focus on extrinsic rewards and neglect intrinsic rewards. Many reading rewards program fall into this category. In this approach, we sometimes see a short-term focus in which quick results are yielded but then the student might revert back to old patterns of behavior or habits when the extrinsic rewards are removed (Behaviorism in education: What is behavioral learning theory? 2023).

How might we adapt our reading programs to yield intrinsic rewards over extrinsic rewards?

One strength and weakness to the behavioral approach to instructional design is the absence of individualization. This can be a positive if the topic truly only yields one answer (ex. Is the Earth a planet? Yes.). This approach can be a negative as there is no ability to adapt to the various learning styles, challenges, and needs of students (Behaviorism in education: What is behavioral learning theory? 2023).

What other aspects of this theory can be both a positive and a negative and how can we balance this approach in the instance that you chose?

National University. (2023, August 17). Behaviorism in education: What is behavioral learning theory? National University. https://www.nu.edu/blog/behaviorism-in-education/#:~:text=It%20allows%20teachers%20to%20tailor,for%20their%20achievements%20and%20efforts.