Chapter 10 - Social Cognitivism

WHAT?
The light finally turned on. The last four class periods I didn't understand that we were learning about 4 different concepts and that each week was a different theory. In my mind I was just mixing all the information learned together and not comprehending the differences from each theory from one week to the next. I wish that it were explained at the beginning of these units that each week we would be learning a different concept so that I could CHUNK the information together into the theories that it belonged to and gain a better understanding of each of them as a unit. It wasn't until the test was being explained to us and I was able to view the study guide that I finally grasped this idea and the light turned on.

Social Cognitivism - In Social Cognitivism, the definition of learning is that people learn by observing others and how they eventually assume control over their own behavior. By observing others, we begin to assume control over our own behavior. One of the main concepts is Reciprocal Causation - which is defined as the interdependence of person, environment and behavior in order for learning and behavior. It's a constant interplay between each of these.
It's important for teachers to provide models and outline the expectations for their students so that they can have the self-efficacy to be able to succeed.

SO WHAT?
It's important for teachers to understand that their students learn from each other, their environment, and their own behavior as well as the behavior of others. We need to provide appropriate models for our students so that they can have a better understanding of what is expected of them. Students are watching everything that happens in the classroom. As they see one student get away with things that aren't appropriate, they soon learn that they can behave the same way and that it will be accepted as well. They will also see when we praise other students for satisfactory work and will want to perform the same way so that they can have the same reinforcement (vicarious punishment & vicarious reinforcement).

NOW WHAT?
As a teacher, I need to set the environment of my classroom so that the students will be able to succeed and have the self-efficacy to know that they are capable and have the desire to succeed. I need to model appropriate behavior and reinforce those behaviors that I want to continue in my class. As the students learn from each other and we all work together, we will all benefit from the experience.

AS A SIDE NOTE:
I realize that there have been problems with getting the test online for us to complete. However, I've been anxiously looking for this test multiple times each day and have built up anxiety about not being available to find it and receiving no information as to why and when it will be available. I've e-mailed you to find out what the situation is and have visited your office a few different times (none of which are your posted office times, so I didn't expect to find you - but hoped I would). It would have been greatly appreciated to have a group e-mail sent out to all the students so that we could know when and where to find the test and help ease our minds about it. I've had a lot of other students calling and e-mailing me to find out where to find the test. We've all been frustrated about the lack of communication or information we've received about it. If the option of taking the test during class is the solution, a quick e-mail would have eased all of our minds and helped us have a better weekend. Thanks.