Programmed instruction

Definition

• Programmed instruction is a method of presenting new subject matters to students in a graded sequence of controlled steps. Students work through the programmed material by themselves at their own speed and after each step test their comprehension by answering an examination question or filling in a diagram. They are then immediately shown the correct answer or given additional information. Computers and other types of teaching machines are often used to present the material, although books may also be used. (cited from Encyclopedia.com).

Theory

• Programmed instruction is based on Skinner's "operant conditionning", a (behaviorist theory stating that learning is change in behavior, i.e. the individual's reponse to events (stimuli). Behvaior can be conditionned by rewarding the right stimulus-response patterns.

According to Greg Kearsley:

1. Behavior that is positively reinforced will reoccur; intermittent reinforcement is particularly effective
2. Information should be presented in small amounts so that responses can be reinforced ("shaping")
3. Reinforcements will generalize across similar stimuli ("stimulus generalization") producing secondary conditioning

On side note, it is interesting that Skinner argued strongly against teaching that is based on punishement. According to Kristinsdóttir, << In a chapter of his book 1968 Why teachers fail he argued that formal education is usually based on 'aversive control'. Teaching rests on punishment and ridicule for unsuitable behaviour rather than showing a consideration for the shaping and reinforcement of responses to be learned. He also said that lessons and examinations are designed to show what pupils do not know and cannot do, rather than to expose and build upon what they do know and are able to learn. Therefore, he argued, teachers fail to shape their children's behaviour sufficiently, leading to inappropriate learning or to learned responses that are quickly forgotten (Skinner, 1968). >>

See also: Mastery learning

Typical instructional design

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Links

• Operant Conditioning (B.F. Skinner) [1]

• Programmed Instruction by Sólrún B. Kristinsdóttir.

References

• Markle, S. (1969). Good Frames and Bad (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.

• Skinner, B.F. (1968). The Technology of Teaching. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts.