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“Excellent!”, responded Anamika’s teacher to her answer and her joy knew no bounds. Seeing that her teacher was happy with what she answered, Anamika felt motivated. The teacher’s skill of reinforcement ensured that Anamika paid more attention in class throughout the day.
You must have had a similar experience in your school days, too. After all, who doesn’t like it when their teacher praises them for answering correctly? Not only does this simple act of validation develop a child’s confidence, but it also pushes them to participate further. For someone entering the teaching domain, this concept has great significance. We call it the skill of reinforcement in microteaching. Let’s understand what it means and delve into the components of reinforcement skill. This blog will resolve all your queries on reinforcement in micro teaching.
What Is Reinforcement Skill In Microteaching?
The skill of reinforcement in microteaching is a skill utilized by teachers, wherein they display such behaviors that ensure maximum participation of students. It’s a tool that teachers can deploy for greater involvement of students in classroom activities. The skill of reinforcement comprises using more and more positive reinforcers to make the learning experience pleasant for children.
Positive reinforcers can be words or gestures that motivate pupils and encourage them to participate in the class. For example, giving verbal praise or nodding at a student’s answer boosts their confidence and motivates them to respond further. A teacher should use positive reinforcers at regular intervals so that children participate actively.
Negative reinforcers, on the other hand, prevent students from engaging and taking part in classroom discussions. When students are given harsh criticism for their response, it breaks their confidence and stops them from learning further. Think about your school days. When your teacher scolded you in front of everyone for giving a wrong answer, how did you feel? Awful, isn’t it? This is what happens with negative reinforcement. A teacher must avoid negative reinforcers as much as possible.
Importance Of Reinforcement Skills In Teaching
Today, several educational institutions in the country teach the reinforcement skill in microteaching. It’s because of the various advantages it offers to both students and teachers. This single skill can bring a big difference to the learning process. The reinforcement skill in microteaching is helpful in a way that it:
- Promotes better learning
- Raises morale of students
- Ensures greater classroom participation
- Improves teacher-student relationship
Positive reinforcements can lead to increased class attendance, more attention to classroom discussions, greater discipline, enthusiasm and an overall healthy learning environment.
Components Of Skill Of Reinforcement
Reinforcement skills in teaching can be better understood with the help of its components. We’ve explained below the various components of the reinforcement skill:
1. Positive Verbal Reinforcement
It involves praising or appreciating a student for their participation using verbal expressions. Words or statements such as ‘very good, ‘go ahead’, ‘continue’, ‘I like your answer’, ‘that was a great thought’, ‘excellent’ and ‘well done’ encourage a learner to continue taking part in the discussion. Positive verbal reinforcement is any verbal expression that motivates students by validating what they’re saying.
2. Positive Nonverbal Reinforcement
Here a teacher uses gestures or displays a certain body language to convey that they’re paying attention and showing interest in a pupil’s answer. Some examples of this include smiling, making eye contact, nodding the head and staying near the student (instead of walking away or turning your back on them). Such nonverbal cues give confidence to the students and raise their morale.
3. Negative Verbal Reinforcement
A child remembers a negative remark forever, especially the one they receive in front of the entire class. Teachers must refrain from using painful or discouraging verbal expressions such as ‘you’re wrong’, ‘nonsense’ or ‘don’t ask stupid questions’. Such words or expressions negatively impact the minds of students and decrease their motivation levels.
4. Negative Nonverbal Reinforcement
Frowning, walking away from a pupil, not paying attention, serving discouraging looks, tapping your foot or talking to another student while one is answering are some examples of negative nonverbal reinforcement. This type of behavior can discourage pupils and prevent them from participating in the class. A teacher should avoid such expressions and body language to maintain a positive learning atmosphere.
5. Extraverbal Cues
Occasionally offering a ‘hmm’ or an ‘uh-uh’ is a way of expressing that you’re listening and supporting the student’s answer. Such extra verbal cues convey that the teacher is attentive, which helps the child to continue answering.
6. Writing Pupil’s Answer On The Board
Writing the answer given by a student on the board draws the attention of the class and conveys the teacher’s confidence in the student’s answer. As a result, all students feel motivated and participate with greater zeal.
7. Repeating And Rephrasing
Repeating the answer of a student helps the class understand a concept better. At the same time, it gives reassurance to the student and encourages them to speak up more often. When a child is partially correct, teachers can rephrase their answer.
8. Contact Reinforcement
Moving toward a student who is answering and staying near them makes them feel heard. This practice uplifts students and ensures their participation in classroom discussions.
9. Token Reinforcement
When a student is rewarded for giving the correct answer or displaying good behavior, they feel encouraged to keep learning. Token reinforcement happens when you reward students for their little achievements. Rewards can be in the form of giving chocolates, badges or golden stars.
10. No Reinforcement
When the teacher doesn’t respond to a student’s answer in any way or form, we call it no reinforcement. No reinforcement makes the learning process dull, demotivating and unproductive.
These were the different components of skill of reinforcement. How many do you employ intentionally or unknowingly? This list might help you offer better reinforcements.
Teachers play a crucial role in children’s lives. A great teacher can make an average student stand out. Effective teaching is less about imparting knowledge and more about how you impart it. Caring for your students, listening to them patiently and acknowledging them for their efforts are some ways you can create healthy learning environments.
Harappa’s Inspiring Faculty Program can help you learn the skill of reinforcement and master the art of teaching. It covers all the components of reinforcement skill in detail and explains simple ways of practicing them. So, sign up now!
