Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition
After reading Chapter 4, Reinforcing Effort and Providing Recognition, in Hill & Miller’s textbook, please answer the following:
- Summarize the ideas and recommendations presented in the book regarding effort reinforcement.
- Summarize the ideas and suggestions presented in the book regarding providing recognition.
- Give an example of how you plan to use what is covered in this chapter in your future ESL classroom.
When completing this assignment, write the question and then the answer. This assignment must be between 2 and 2 ½ pages long and typed in MS Word or Google doc, double-spaced, and Times New Roman #12 as the font and size.
Answer:
Effort reinforcement and providing recognition are two important concepts in education that can enhance students’ motivation and academic achievement. Hill & Miller’s textbook discusses various ideas and recommendations for educators to implement these strategies effectively.
Effort reinforcement refers to the practice of recognizing and rewarding students’ hard work, persistence, and commitment to their learning. The book suggests that effort reinforcement can be done in several ways, including:
- Praising effort rather than ability: Instead of focusing on innate talent, educators should emphasize the value of hard work and perseverance. For example, instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” say, “You worked really hard on this assignment.”
- Providing feedback on effort: Teachers should provide specific feedback on students’ efforts, such as praising their progress or the strategies they used to overcome a challenge.
- Celebrating progress: Educators should recognize and celebrate students’ progress, no matter how small. This can include acknowledging improvements in grades, behavior, or other areas.
- Encouraging students to set goals: By setting achievable goals, students can experience a sense of accomplishment and feel motivated to continue working hard.
Providing recognition involves acknowledging and celebrating students’ achievements, talents, and contributions to the classroom community. The book suggests several ideas and suggestions for providing recognition, including:
- Verbal praise: Educators should verbally acknowledge and praise students’ accomplishments in front of the class or individually.
- Written feedback: Teachers can provide written feedback, such as comments on assignments or notes to parents, to recognize students’ achievements.
- Certificates and awards: Teachers can create certificates or awards to recognize students’ accomplishments, such as perfect attendance, improvement in grades, or outstanding behavior.
- Celebrations and events: Teachers can organize celebrations or events, such as a class party or a field trip, to recognize students’ achievements.
As an ESL teacher, I plan to use the ideas and recommendations presented in this chapter to reinforce effort and provide recognition in my classroom. For example, I can praise students for their hard work in learning a new language, provide feedback on their progress, and celebrate their achievements by creating certificates or organizing a cultural fair. By implementing these strategies, I hope to enhance my students’ motivation and engagement, leading to greater academic success.
