DOMAIN E LITERATURE REVIEW

Domain E- Literature Review

Reinforcement in the Classroom

Courtney Burnett
TED 690
Professor Johnson

Abstract

DOMAIN E LITERATURE REVIEW

The following paper is a literature review regarding the use of positive and negative
reinforcement within the classroom. It describes the difference between using
positive and negative reinforcement within the classroom and how you get a better
result from using the positive reinforcement with students. It gives examples of how
to use positive reinforcement in the classroom and this aligns with how I use the
ClassDojo for positive reinforcement within my own classroom.

DOMAIN E LITERATURE REVIEW

I found an article entitled Reinforcement I and II. The article talked about the
use of positive and negative reinforcement within the classroom. There are different
ways to think of positive reinforcement in terms of influencing behavior in
classroom. If there is a negative behavior and it is increased with reinforcement, it
can still be considered a positive reinforcement, because the behavior was
increased. The key, to run a successful positively reinforced classroom, is to use
positive reinforcement to increase positive classroom behavior. This is the ultimate
goal.
Many times we see that a student will misstep and they are sent to detention.
The article suggests that there are steps that can be taken prior to the detention
sentence that may lead to an alternative outcome for the student. The article
suggests that the actual use of negative reinforcement is counterproductive in the
classroom. (Crossley, L.H. 1984 p. 38) The article explains that when there are
clear definitions of what behavior is expected within the classroom and what the
outcomes there will be if that behavior is not met, then the child is more likely to act
appropriately. Clear expectations, with clear reinforcements are what lead to the
type of classroom management that is desired.
I feel that this article aligned nicely with the use of my ClassDojo because the
first thing we do in our class is set up our behavior expectations through the Dojo. I
have the students pick their monsters and they can see as I add in the positive and
negative behaviors, what will get them good and bad points to feed their Dojo
monsters. They know that they can get 5 points within the week to get them to the
treasure box, and more often than not, they will work hard to earn those points. I
feel that this article also aligns nicely with our new school PBIS program, which is
our schoolwide behavioral support plan. There are clear expectations for schoolwide

DOMAIN E LITERATURE REVIEW

behaviors and those behaviors are posted in and around the school. For example,
the playground behaviors are posted where the students enter the playground, and
the library behaviors are posted in the library. The hallway behaviors are listed
within each hallway. The behavior expectations are clearly stated and it makes it
easier for the students to act correctly and be positively reinforced.

DOMAIN E LITERATURE REVIEW

References
Crossley, L.H. (1984) Reinforcement I and II. The Clearing House. 58(1) p. 37-38.
https://teach.classdojo.com/#/classes/5791078ade5662270b00cee9/