Blog Post 2

This video might relate to classroom instruction when thinking about modeling because my female students may want to be like me and may want to imitate my behavior, so they would be more likely to do the things that I say. Boys may not think this way and may not want to imitate my behavior in this same way. 

What makes a model most effective is when it is someone of higher status that one respects and wants to imitate. Young children often imitate older brothers or sisters of the same gender and want to be just like them. This is because the model as seen as someone of high status that the imitator respects and wants to be like. They would most likely be successful and seen as someone of importance. 

Teachers are often seen as models in their classrooms, especially with younger students, but peers may also be models in classrooms. When one student sees that another student has done well and has gotten recognition for their work, other students may envy that and want to imitate the actions of their peer.

Society and culture might influence learning because if the student is judged before ever entering the classroom, the teacher may treat them differently which would inhibit their learning. Or on the other hand, if the student has a bad home life or has a history of misbehaving in class, this may also effect their learning and the teacher might not have control over the situation.

Large scale cultural factors might influence your students' learning because they may think that they are suppose to act a certain way, even if it is bad. If all of the other male students are being mean to the girls and they have also seen shows where the boys are mean to the girls, the student may act in this certain way just because they think that is how they are suppose to act.

One distinguishing factor that might be a component my classroom culture would be somewhat like a reward and punishment system for behavior. Everyday students would see their name on a 'chore' sheet. Each week there is a new line leader dorr holder etc. If students do their tasks correctly, they will receive a gold star each week. If they don't do their job, the gold star will be revoked. At the end of the year whichever student has the most gold stars will get a small prize. This would allow both males and females to have their own roles in the classroom and would allow equal opportunity for everyone to succeed. 

Social Cognitive Theory Post 2

This video relates to classroom instruction when thinking about modeling because students pick up on everything.  Anything you do at the front of the classroom, could be copied by your students.  I think modeling is a very effective form of teaching, and the model is most effective when he/she is modeling something that the students are interested in and something of which they show enthusiasm.  In my classroom, I would obviously be a model, being a teacher at the front of the room.  But, students that perform just as the model has asked, also serve as effective models for their peers.  Students might serve as more effective models than teachers, because if another student sees his/her peer modeling an action, they will also want to be able to model that action.

Society and culture greatly influence learning.  Like we all have experienced, that ONE male teacher in the building is the teacher that every boy and a lot of girls want to have, because it's cool and different to have a male teacher.  Also, boys are more likely to respond positively to a male teacher, and girls are more likely to respond positively to a female teacher.  

In my future classroom, one distinguishing factor will be that all of my students will walk silently in the hallways, and not cut corners in the hallway.  Each student will do this because they know it is expected of them, and they will be punished if the teacher hears/sees otherwise.  

Blog Post 1

This chapter discusses many important things. The part that stuck out to me the most was the section about imitator characteristics. Within this section it furthered discussed attention, retention, production, and motivation. Attention refers to the model paying attention to the imitator. It talks about how when the model keeps things relevant and interesting they can help enhance learning for the imitator. The next part discussed was retention. This was about how the model must not only pay attention to the imitator, but must also remember the information and be able to use it later. Next it discussed production. Production talks about being able to produce the behavior that the model preforms. Lastly it discussed motivation. This section talked about how the imitator must actually be motivated to do what the model is trying to get them to do, or there will be no results.

One question that I had was similar to what we talked about in class. Who is responsible for learning? Is it the imitator or the model? I know that as students it is our responsibility to be proactive and learn, but isn't it also the teachers job to get us interested? Does this differ with age? Or does this have more to do with self-efficacy and self-regulation?

According to Social Cognitive Theory learning is learning information through a certain source, either by observing others or from a model, and being able to imitate and produce that same behavior. One implication for teaching is that this is not how all children learn. Some students aren't able to see something be done and be abe to do it themselves. They need more attention than others or might not understand what the model is doing.

Other people can affect the way that you learn because they may see something or learn something a different way than you do, and you may not understand how they are getting it. If two students are given a problem and they do them different ways, they may think that they are no longer correct because they thought of the problem in a different way. This can be discouraging for students. They may affect what counts as learning or intelligence because if they think they are right and that you are wrong, you may also start to doubt yourself. Also, if one student is praised for their achievement, others may think this is the only way to do something and may be ashamed of their own work. 

module 10 blog 2

An effective model is relevant, efficient, with competence and status, that grabs the attention of the imitator so that they can not only retain the information but be able to produce and repeat the action exposed.

A model in my classroom would be both parents, and student volunteers that come in and help in small groups with the children. Their behavior is being observed and imitated just as much as mine. It is important to have positive performance from those helping to have a positive influence on the kids.

I think society and culture has impacted childrens learning by the use of cell phone use. Younger children with the resource of a cell phone to the wide open web is quite scary. It is definitely changing the way the generation operates and thinks on a daily basis. In the classroom, a teacher would either disapprove phones, or use them in an educational way. With all the new Apps available on smartphones, technology could really improve and be relevant to how a child learns.

At third grade lunch, when the whistle blows to go back to classrooms, each teacher has their class lined up in a while line to go through the school back to their classroom. Miss. Picks class is the first one in a straight line not shouting through the hallway, which is different than the rest of the third grade. Miss Pick expects her kids to be more well behaved than the others from the rules she established on the first day. The principle often comes by after lunch and graciously gives compliments to the class and the teacher. 

Module 10 Post 2

   In a classroom setting, children are most likely to model adult behavior. We, as future teachers, are going to be the model of the highest status in our classrooms. If we exhibit violent behavior then it gives our students the idea that violence is okay and will model our violent behavior. In a classroom, this could be related to bullying. If children see one person being mean or bullying another person and this person receives more attention, then other children may model the behavior of bullying. They may model bullying especially if the behavior isn't punished. Children are each other's models more than adults are because they're always going to be in each other's peer groups. They want acceptance within the group.
   Large scale cultural factors may influence a classroom because boys have the impression they are better than girls. There was a song that went "Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you" and I remember the boys in the playground singing this at my friends and I when we were younger. If one boy starts this song, then other boys are bound to join in and model the behavior because they're receiving attention. And I found that it was always the popular group of boys to sing this song to the girls. This might influence their learning because it could inhibit it. The girls who are being teased may lose, or never develop, high self-efficacy because the boys made them think they couldn't be as good at anything.
   The classroom culture in my classroom will be one that aims to always be positive. Kids make mistakes sometimes, but it's better to build them up than to tear them down. As a teacher I will be setting the example of speaking in positive terms, giving compliments rather than speaking poorly of things and working on "good things of the week." Each student will be asked to give another student a positive comment about a good thing they saw that student do, even if it was just picking trash off the ground. This sets the example of positive modeling. Rather than picking on each other like most children do, this process will help the children feel good about themselves and their abilities. This classroom culture will set in motion good modeling practices so the students can one be models to other younger students. Positive words and actions will be visible in class everyday and hopefully this will overcome the negatives or unaccepted things students see about one another.

Social Cognitive Theory Post 1

When looking back on this chapter, the things that stuck out were the model, the imitator, and the environment.  When explaining the social cognitive theory, these three elements are essential.  In this case, the model is the one demonstrating the way the task needs to be done.  The imitator is the one imitating the model, and trying to learn the task that needs to be done.  The environment is the environment in which the task is done.  

For example, a teacher (model) in a classroom (environment) is trying to teach cursive to her class.  All the desks are facing forwards towards the teacher at the front of the room.  When trying to teach cursive, the teacher demonstrates how the letters should be drawn, and then draws outlines of letters for the students to trace.  The students practice tracing the letters in class and try to imitate (imitator) the teacher's movements.  Part of the imitator's job is to keep practicing on their own and retain the information that the teacher has modeled for them.

One question I have about the chapter is what happens if the students cannot retain the information?  What if it doesn't matter how many times the teacher models a certain task, and the student cannot retain the information?

According to social cognitive theory, learning is retaining information that has been modeled for the imitator.

Some people carry different beliefs and those different beliefs can affect the way you feel about certain subjects that are being taught.  If a child is brought up in a religious home, some aspects of biology might be difficult to grasp.  Also, different cultures and individual homes have different opinions of what intelligence is, therefore, affecting the learning of said individuals.

Module 10 Post 1

After reading this chapter, observational, imitating, and environmental learning became much more clear. One who is modeling something, the performer, performs the behavior that is to be imitated by others. To have be effective with an audience, does it have relevance, competence, high status, and gender appropriateness?  This reminded me of how Michael Phelps, after winning eight gold medals in 2008 had endorsement deals to stand for their company to sell for their product. Because Michael was a positive role model, every kid wanted to be a swimmer and be like him. He not only had high status, but very relevant to children wanting to be an athlete. A picture was leaked of him smoking a bong. This was a behavior that companies that targeted kids and a healthy lifestyle did NOT want to be part of. Kellogg, along with other majors companies dropped him as a client. Imitators must be attentive, have retention, production, and motivation. Lets say Johny, who is eight wants to be like Michael Phelps (before drug use,) and he watches the Olympics at home. He replays Michaels swims over and over, the next day in class that’s all he talks about at recess(retention). His mom signed him up for swim club at the country club. He begins to swim laps at the pool instead of playing games with the other children his age. (production) Though he doesn’t perform at the same level at an Olympian, he wants to strive to be the best he can be.

I am not completely confident on the response facilitation effect, and response inhibition, when would it be appropriate to use?

I think learning occurs when the model of action has the attention of the imitator, an action that can be both retained and produced by the imitator, and has motivation to try it again. I think that this theory could definitely be used for teaching a sport. How the boy wanted to be like Michael Phelps, and modeled the behavior to strive to be like him. Teachers could show celebrities who are a positive role model, and inspire and gain their attention by watching clips of them doing great things.

I think individuals, and a society both impact how you learn in a great deal. Social Economic Status plays a huge role, does your school corporation have the resource and funding to maintain a healthy school environment? Can you go on field trips? Are your teachers top notch or paid less than normal? The attitude that surrounds the school influences the child’s perspective on learning and growing. If a child who has two intelligent parents who have put their child in a private prestigious elementary and middle school, then for high school they go to the public schools. The whole culture of the school would be completely different. The child may be in culture shock and not perceive some kids as intelligent because they don’t have a dress code or speak formally.  

Module 10 Post 1

   The chapter states that learning can come from watching the behavior of others. Kids at a preschool may watch one of their peers run around the classroom jumping over chairs and start to participate in the same behavior. However, the modeling of the behavior is limited because soon the children get punished by losing their free time for jumping over chairs. The model was relevant because they were all in the same class together and the imitators were paying attention to the model since he was jumping all over the chairs. Even though the environment provided access for the behaviors to occur, the behavior is unlikely to occur again or for a while because the children will experience the vicarious punishment with the model getting punished.

   Another key point the chapter made was self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is the belief an individual holds about his or her ability to succeed in whatever they are doing. High self-efficacy can come from modeling, after they've received positive results from what they're doing. Also, a physiological state can affect self-efficacy. Low self-efficacy correlates to low physical activity and similarly for high self-efficacy and high physical activity. Self-efficacy is an important process because students can use their successes to further positive behavior. 

   Self regulation is also important because this is essentially how we control our behavior. Self regulation includes the control of our actions, words, thoughts, etc. If we have successful self regulation, we will be able to look at our own behaviors and eventually judge others' behaviors. We learn to self regulate through the social experiences we have in our lives.

   Do social cognitive theorists believe in the nurture theory more than the nature theory? How can they justify successful learning and behavior if a child had negative influences?

   Social cognitivists believe that learning can occur by simply observing others. The more we watch the actions of others, the more or less we want to imitate them. Our imitations depend on the model's outcome after they participate in the behavior. An implication of this states that learning may constitute a change in behavior if the model was influential. 

   Other people influence how we learn because they're constantly modeling behaviors for us. If a person is interested in learning a behavior someone else may exhibit, they will model this person until they've successfully participated in the behavior. Also, the people we're modeling are most likely of high status in society, have competence in whatever behavior they're doing, and is relevant to whatever we're looking for. If we don't have any relevance or if it's just an average person, their behaviors may not be modeled as much as an famous actor's. Because of their high status, they can influence what counts as learning.

Social Cognitive Theory - Post 2

I do believe that modeling is a great way for kids to learn. For a model to be effective though, he or she mustbe relevant for the imitator. For example, if you are wanting to learn how to make shoes you would not go somewhere where they make bags. The model must also have competence. Models of high status are also more likely imitated over someone who is not of high status. Gender of the model also plays a role, males are more likely to imitate males and females are more likely to imitate females. I would count the students as models as well. Students who are good and who receive awards and good grades are good models for other students who do not get rewarded and maybe do not get such good grades.

I believe that social and cultural factors play a large role in students' learning. I believe that if a student is a new student in a new school system he or she will not know the culture of the classroom and how the classroom is run. This would be because at his or her old school, he or she was in a different culture than what the new school is.

In my classroom, I will expect respect out of all of the students toward myself and the other students as well. I feel that for a classroom to be a good learning environment, there needs to be a rule that no comment or answer or question is a stupid one. No one can laugh or make fun of someone else if they do not understand something or get an answer wrong. I have had experiences like this in my high school career where someone made me feel stupid and because of this I never participated in class. I will definately expect respect for everyone in my classroom above all else.

Social Cognitive Theory Post 2

In Bandura’s experiment, we can see what happens when modeling teaches undesirable behavior, in this case, violence and hostile language. However, this experiment with exposing children to violent television does show that modeling is an effective form of learning.

Models that are most influential are often those who share characteristics with the imitator.  This could include similarities of gender, race, socioeconomic status, interests, talents, or a plethora of other traits. Models who are of a desirable class or status also attract attention. In the classroom, teachers have an opportunity to be a model for the students. Students also model behavior for each other. “Popular” students or high “social status” may be models for their peers.

Many students will already come into the classroom influenced by large scale cultural factors. These cultural ideas and norms may have been taught at home, intentionally or unintentionally. This shapes the students’ worldviews, which could cause them to be closed-minded, or simply unaware of the beliefs of others. As teachers, we will have the opportunity to expand these worldviews to include more than just what was learned from parents, immediate family, and immediate culture.

I desire to have a classroom with a culture that fosters encouragement. I want students to be encouraged by me to achieve more than they thought possible, to be better people, and to learn and try new things. I also want students to encourage each other in their schoolwork, attitudes, and play. This could be seen by a student telling her friend not to give up on a math problem, or telling a classmate they played well in soccer in gym class. I want encouragement to be sincere, frequent, and effortless.

Post 1

After stepping away from the book the main thing that stuck in my head from the Social Cognitive section was the imitator characteristics. In this part of the chapter it talks about three different imitator characteristics. The first one that they talk about is attention. Students must pay attention to the behavior of the teacher so that they can perform the behavior themselves. The second one deals with retention. They must know how to write the word later when they are outside of the classroom. For example the students must pay attention on how to write certain words in cursive. If they don't pay attention to the behavior of the teacher while he his showing the class how to write a word then they wont be able to perform the task later down the road. The third thing that they mention is production. A student may pay attention but most of the time the student cant write the word as neatly and clearly as the teacher can. The final thing is motivation. The imitator must be willing to perform the task they just learned.
I didn't have anything that confused me too much in this chapter. There was one thing that I was curious about though. In the chapter they talked about self-efficacy and what causes high or low self efficacy in a person. Do the four steps that they talk about abide to everything or just when it comes to the classroom?
According to the Social Cognitive Theory Learning can be occur by observing others. Learning may or may not include a behavioral change and personal characteristics are important in learning.
Going to church for several years has a kid effected some things in my life. It taught me that drinking and sex outside of marriage was wrong. So whenever I was tempted by drinking in high school I always walked away easily due to the fact that I was brought up knowing that drinking was bad.

Social Cognitive Theory Post 1

Social cognitive theory explores learning through observation. In a learning situation, there are three main elements: the model, the imitator, and the environment. The model is the individual or group displaying the information or behavior. The imitator is the receiver of information, who is hopefully learning. Often, a model is someone of high status who is relevant to the issue, while an ideal imitator has interest in this individual, and is perhaps of the same gender or enjoys the same things. Aspects such as availability of information are encompassed in the environment. This theory focuses on the role of the individual in learning. Self-efficacy, or believing in the ability to succeed, plays a role, along with self-regulation and motivation.

One thing that confused me a bit about this section is that is seems to over-generalize learning. According to the social cognitive theory, does all learning happen through observation? Is it possible to learn in other ways?

According to this theory, learning can be displayed in different ways.  Learning is mental, while outward behavior may or may not chance accordingly. One application of this theory is that teachers should model self-efficacy. This shows students that it is good to believe in yourself and that they can achieve their goals.

Other people can affect learning in numerous ways. They can model good behavior, explain information, or spark curiosity. On the other hand, people can negatively impact learning by modeling undesirable behavior, discourage the learner by teasing or otherwise, or distract from relevant material. Through modeling, a wide variety of things can be learned, whether academic, behavioral, or moral.

Social Cognitive Theory Blog 2

This relates to classroom instruction because as a teacher you have to be a good model. If you display poor characteristics, your students will think it is okay. They will observe you doing “bad” things and in response do the same. What makes a model most affective is who the model is and what they are doing. In the video the person was older, which might make the children think they are of higher status. Since this person was older and exhibiting a violent behavior children would think it is okay to act in this way. Other students can act as models in the classroom. If a teacher lets one student act out in class, other students will observe this and think that it is acceptable for them to act this way.

Society can influence learning because our society does many things that are not acceptable. Kids see things on tv and from their peers, or even a brother and they might want to do this in the classroom. If a kid is acting badly in the classroom on tv, talking back to their teacher and not following the rules a student might try to do this because they have seen that someone else was able to do it. A person who is considered a minority may see that many other people with the same race may not try hard in school because they do not think they can make good grades like another student of a more dominant race. This could affect how self-efficiency the student has and affect their academics. One factor that would be a component in my classroom is that my students would not talk while I am. They are not to interrupt. This would be visible in my classroom because the first time a student does they will be punished and the other students will see them being punished and not want to act in this way.

Social Cognitive Theory Blog 1

Some kids do not see positive modeling, but yet they do not act in the same negative way. Why is that? For example, a child’s older sister and mother could fight like crazy yelling and hitting each other. The child sees this constantly but never acts in this crazy manner.

According to Social cognitive theory, learning is when you can watch someone else’s behaviors and be able to do what they did. A teacher should give positive feedback when it has been earned, not just to be nice. When teachers do this, the students can have more self-efficacy and might try to keep the pattern up.

Parents can affect the way we learn because if they do not provide a good environment for the child to live in, this can cause problems. They may be watching their parents not care about their school work and academics and think that it is okay to make bad grades because their parents do not care. They might affect what counts as learning because if they are not modeling a behavior to which a child should learn, the child may not learn anything that has to do with academics.