CH 9 Case Study Analysis

1. Does Mr. Kessinger's class represent a community of learners as defined in Ch. 7? Why or why not?

Mr. Kessinger's class does not represent a community of learners. In a community of learners the students and teacher work together to help one another. In Mr. Kessinger's class though it was more like a monarchy. He was the dictator and if someone didn't know the answer from rote memory then they were severely punished. The students feared him, and therefore received no help from him. He also could have used Robin's concept map to help the rest of class.

2. Does Mr. Kessinger utilize presentation punishment or removal punishment with Robin? Justify your response.

Mr. Kessinger utilizes both presentation punishment and removal punishment. Presentation punishment because he yells at her thus presenting a stimulus which was very unpleasant and removal punishment because he takes her concept map and rips it to pieces.

3. Explain Robin's reaction in Ms. Yamashita's class from the perspective of classical conditioning.

Robin's reaction can be looked at from the perspective of classical conditioning by the fact that in Mr. Kessinger's class she had her concept map taken when she was using it to help answer a question, and then was yelled at. So when she was in Ms. Yamashita's class and Ms. Yamashita picked up her concept map she involuntary thought the same thing was going to happen. She had been conditioned before in Mr. Kessinger's class and thus didn't even wait to hear what Ms. Yamashita was going to say.

4. How might Ms. Yamashita encourage Robin to create concept maps in the future? Include behavioral concepts such as shaping, reinforcement, etc., in your response.

Ms. Yamashita can encourage Robin to create concept maps in the future by giving her an assignment to take notes the first time, then to have her make an outline the second time, and then have her make a concept map the third time and from there on out. This is called shaping and will help Robin to see it is okay to create a concept map and will help her. Another thing she could do would be to positively reinforce Robin. She could give her extra credit for making the concept map, or could have Robin draw the map on the board. She could also praise Robin when she was in class the next time, so Robin could realize that it was good she made the concept map.