Teaching by example : an exemplar-based computerized program of instruction in positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment
Date
1996
Authors
Gantly, Katrina Eloise
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Abstract
The objective of the present study was two-fold: first, to develop, using exemplars and student-centered methodology, a concise and effective computerized program of instruction focusing on the discrimination among positive reinforcement (PR), negative reinforcement (NR), positive punishment (PP) and negative punishment (NP); and second, to provide future researchers with information regarding some of the difficulties that are encountered during the development of an efficient, effective teaching tool. Fourteen subjects, all novices in the area of behavioural psychology, were individually run through the program, which consisted of five cumulative units, each containing a pretest, training session and posttest. Units dealt with the concepts of: (1) behaviour and stimulus, (2) contingency, (3) reinforcement and punishment, ( 4) stimulus addition and subtraction, and (5) discrimination among PR, NR, PP, and NP. The information was arranged in a hierarchy; that is, mastery of material in subsequent units required mastery of material provided in preceeding units. Subject feedback and computerized records of the responses from each subject in tum were analyzed and used to revise the program. A summary of these revisions is included. It was hoped that with continued revisions a goal of 90% correct on the five posttests would be obtained over a consecutive number of subjects. Results showed a mean of 95% correct on the posttests over the last five consecutive subjects, and an overall increase in performance levels across the 14 subjects. These results suggest that student-centered methodology can be used to develop an effective exemplar-based computerized program of instruction. Considerations for future research in the development of computerized programs of instruction are discussed.