Chapter 9

It was really good to have lecture and the class discusion this last week on chapter 9. While reading through the chapter it was hard to differientiate the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment. Through the discussion I am now able to differientiate between the two. I liked Linda's example of the hot air balloon, it helped me to see how with one or the other the balloon still floats. I like the visual picture of thinking of it in that way. There is still some vocabulary in the chapter that I need to go over and make sure I am using it in the right way. Now looking back at my field experience I can connect these concepts to what was happening in the classroom. I think that all teachers need to review what negative reinforcement is as well as punishment. I think that we have been taught to use the words in the wrong context in the past and now its hard to see how it really works. It amazing hwo ixed up it can get in the classroom. I can see how the teachers have it though. When you are put on the spot to come up with a punishment or a negative reinforcemnet it is sometimes har to think logically. It was really good to make the terms clear to me.