Why Do Students Shyout and Do Not Participate in Classroom Discussion Essay Example for Free

Why Do Students Shyout and Do Not Participate in Classroom Discussion Essay Why do students shy out and do not participate in classroom discussion? Chapter 1 1. 1 Abstract Research has shown that shy students participate less frequently in class, are less likely to volunteer contributions, and give shorter and less elaborate answers to questions. Differences between shy and less shy students extend to their performance on standardized tests of vocabulary. The findings of two studies undertaken are presented; in each study participants were rated for shy out students by their class teachers. The first study (of 10-year-olds) found that shy students test performance was influenced by the form of the test they performed less well when the test was administered individually relative to the same test being administered to the whole class in a group setting. A second study asked students (aged 5-9 years) to sort and describe a set of pictures. The shy student was briefer with shorter mean length of utterances and less linguistic diversity, and this difference was obtained even when the influence of vocabulary test scores was statistically controlled. The findings suggest that shy student responses are constrained by their concerns about evaluation and do not necessarily reflect underlying differences in competence. The paper discusses the implications of this research for the classroom. 1. 2 Introduction This study examines the hypothesis that shy, silent students that do not participate in classroom discussion of contraceptives in Pakistan underreport contraceptive usage. Data were obtained from the 1984-85 and 1994-95 Contraceptive Prevalence Surveys, the 1990-91 Demographic and Health Survey, and a Punjab 1993 survey. Shy or silent students were 11. 9% in 1990-91 and 11. 3% in 1994-95. The revised CPRs are 23. 7% and 29. 1%, respectively. In 1993, a follow-up survey among non-users in Punjab province showed that CPR increased from 13% in 1990-91 to 18% in 1993. Shy out students was the most widely used method, followed by the condom and female sterilization. The increase in CPR is attributed to more open reporting among shy or silent student. Revised CPRs that include shy or silent student were consistent with total fertility rates in all 3 nationally representative surveys. Typically shy or silent student were older by about 2. 3 years than current student, Shy or silent students had longer duration of greater illiteracy, and less contraceptive knowledge about methods and sources this is the cause they do not participate in classroom discussion. Research has distinguished shy out students from introversion, although they are typically related. Introverts simply prefer solitary to social activities but do not fear social encounters as do the shy, while extroverts prefer social to solitary activities. Although the majority of shy are introverted, shy extroverts are found in many behavioral settings. They are privately shy and publicly outgoing. They have the requisite social skills and can carry them out flawlessly in highly structured, scripted situations where everyone is playing prescribed roles and there is little room for spontaneity. However, their basic anxieties about being found personally unacceptable, if anyone discovered their real self, emerge in intimate encounters or other situations where control must be shared or is irrelevant, or wherever the situation is ambiguous in terms of social demands and expectations. 1. 3 Problem statement The study was carried out under the title â€Å"why do students shy out and do not participate in classroom discussion†. 1. 4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objectives of the study were: 1. To identify the symptoms of shy out students. 2. To explore the causes of shy out students. 3. To find out the relationship of shyness with the self-esteem of students. 4. To examine the effects of shyness on the self-esteem of shy out students. 5. Helping students learn more from lectures 6. Getting students to participate more in class 7. Recognizing the importance of conflict and conflict resolution in student learning groups 8. Introducing and reinforcing active learning 9. Getting students to come to class having read the assignment 10. Getting and giving feedback on meaningful class participation 11. Letting the classroom environment foster student participation 1. 5 Significance of topic There was a tendency for shyness to correlate significantly with measures of academic attainment. Even though the coefficients are moderate and explain little variance in test scores they are still meaningful and suggest that shy out students does have an impact on academic success. There exists some evidence of links between shyness and intelligence test scores, attainment measures, teacher-rated intelligence and academic performance but this has scarcely been explored. Contemporary theories of learning emphasize the importance of social interaction for learning, including the contribution of students active participation in classroom discussion. This suggests the value of exploring the educational significance of shy out students and reticence characteristics that may cause teachers few problems or draw attention to a students behavior but that might influence their achievement and adjustment. Being part of a discussion is a skill to learn, just like taking good lecture notes or learning to write a good essay exam. You are not doing shy students a favor by letting them off the hook completely. Rather, emphasize to your class that in order to have productive discussions, everyone needs to make a contribution. This can be done in a variety of ways: good listening, asking good questions, challenging what someone has said appropriately and inviting. Chapter 2 Review of Literature Shyness as a â€Å"state of discomfort or inhabitation in interpersonal situations that interferes with pursuing one’s interpersonal or professional goals†. According to Cheek Melchoir shyness involves the tendency to feel worried, awkward or tense when in the presence of others due to the prospect of interpersonal evaluation. Zolton and Long said that shyness is a fear of, or shy out students from, other people or social situations, can have many different causes depending on the individual student and the specific circumstances. Shyness is something that all students experience at one time or another. In most cases it is a normal, temporary behavior. In students, some shy out students is normal, especially when they are around 5-6 of age, and then again at about two years of age. Shyness at these ages is considered a normal part of development. Shyness becomes a problem in a student when it interferes with relationships with other people, with social situations, school, and other important aspects of a student’s life. In the light of the results of many psychological surveys concluded that substantial number of students regards themselves as shy. Shyness becomes problematic when it leads to the patterns of behavior that includes reluctance to enter social situations discomfort and inhibition in the presence of others exaggerated self, unresponsiveness, an increasingly negative social concept, or a combination of these . Shy individuals are anxious and unsure of themselves in social situations and often try to avoid interacting with others . Minimum level of shyness does not create problems for students. Frequent exposure to a particular or different situation makes them confident. But if they avoid contact with people, students of their age or exposure to different situations than shyness can create different problems for them. 2. 1 What is shyness? Almost all students act shy at times, especially when encountering a new person or situation. Quite sensibly most students take time to figure out what to do (and not do!) when presented with a novel situation. With time, most students start to feel comfortable in a new situation or with a person theyve recently met and, therefore, act more outgoing, relaxed, and spontaneous. Some students, however, warm up much more slowly than others. Shy students may look tense or distracted in institution as they worry about becoming the center of attention or doing something embarrassing. Teachers never see the students at home smiling, laughing, and chatting away with family members. 2. 2 Quiet or Shy out Students Even in small groups some students are quiet or shy. When we use learning logs, these students often describe their anxiety about revealing their ideas. Stating that all students are expected to participate in a discussion is likely to heighten that anxiety. We have these suggestions concerning shy students. First, the course description should make it clear that discussion is expected, and this should be emphasized in the first meeting of the class. Second, help should be available for shy students, from either the instructor or a counseling center. We strongly prefer helping students learn to participate, rather than helping them avoid taking part. Third, be accepting of degrees of participation. Students who have the courage to confront their shyness need time to develop, and all of us have â€Å"bad hair† days, when things are going terribly, and we need to be quiet. 2. 3 Strategies to Overcome Shy out students The following strategies to help the students to overcome their shyness in classroom discussion. 1. Tell the students about times when you acted bashful. 2. Explain to the children how they will benefit from acting outgoing Prevent labeling of the students as shy. 4. Reward the students for outgoing behavior 6. Read books with the students about individuals who overcome shyness or fears 8. Eliminate teasing of the students or reduce the impact 9. Teach the student to identify and to verbally express their emotions 10. Relationship of Shyness with Self-Esteem students 2. 4 Causes of shy out students Some students seem naturally shy, while others may revert to being shy because they are scared, ashamed or simply conditioned by past experiences to do so. A lack of confidence can cause a child to become shy, especially if she has been given reason to doubt her abilities in the past. This may lead to a student not participating in the classroom or having difficulty connecting with other students. * Lost Discussion Skills Students who do not interact with others in the classroom miss opportunities to learn crucial interpersonal skills. Also, students miss opportunities to develop debating skills. Students must learn how to be a part of a group discussion, which is commonly used in college classrooms and corporate boardrooms. * Lost Assertiveness Shy students may be less willing to mention when they are struggling with class material, causing them to not receive the help they need. People often interpret timidity as a sign of being stuck up, which can put off many people who would otherwise give the student learning opportunities. * Low Self-Efficacy Shy students often develop low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, which reduces the chances that they will have the confidence to pursue challenges that give them learning opportunities. Shyness can also create an unfortunate cycle, as timid students do not develop effective communication skills. The lack of social skills leads to negative social experiences for the shy out students, which increases the anxiety she feels, leading to more shy behavior. * Lost Opportunities Shyness is often caused by an exposure to new activities. Since students do not have as many experiences as adults, they experience more new activities, which can emotionally overwhelm those who have not yet developed coping skills. When students do not have enough experiences, they miss many opportunities to learn. Students who are very shy may be distracted from classroom material because of fears of social interaction or being called on in class. * Students often get ignored Shy students often have difficulty with class grades, but that largely comes from lower levels of class participation and oral skills. Whether shyness is learned, cultural, or genetic, it can present problems for both students and instructors, most commonly in smaller classes in which participation is expected/encouraged. Most classrooms have one or more students who struggle with making themselves heard or participating in class discussions. These students are usually called shy because they may speak softly, prefer to work independently or refuse to speak up at all. Often these students flourish with written assignments or tests, but fail in areas that require participation with classmates or presentations in front of other students. For shy students, keep some considerations in mind. Chapter 3 * Methodology The research approach was quantitative. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data for the research. For this research, the research adopted analytical way of research. In this way, quantitative way of analysis was adopted. The researcher developed a questionnaire for getting the data from language teachers, and on the basis of collected data analysis was made. For effective research the feedback given by the teachers was presented in the tables and graphs. On the basis of quantitative analysis and suggestions were finalized. Research Tools Opinion scale on the pattern of analytical way of research was developed. Population The students constituted population of study. Sampling Thirty students were selected as a sample using simple random technique. Method of research The study was descriptive in nature. The survey method was used to collect the data from the respondents. For this purpose a questionnaire was developed and was administered to the sample of the study. Collection of data The questionnaire was administered to the students. For each statement, teachers were to respond one option from the given four options. * Analysis of data The data collected was tabulated, analyzed and interpreted in the light of the objectives of the study. Simple percentage was used for analysis of data. Table no. 3. 1 Do group activities break the shy out of the student? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 14| 47%| SA| 13| 44%| N| 0| 0%| DA| 0| 0%| SDA| 3| 10%| When students were asked the statement 47% students said they were agree group activities break the shy out of the student, 44% said strong agree and 10% said strong disagree. Table no. 3. 2 Have shy out students discuss their weakness in classroom as a communicator? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 0| 0%| SA| 9| 30%| N| 3| 10%| DA| 12| 40%| SDA| 6| 20%| 30% said strong agree,10 %neutral ,40%said disagree and 20%said strong disagree . Table no. 3. 3 Confer with parents give opportunities for shy out student to increase your involvement in classroom discussion? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 12| 40%| SA| 7| 24%| N| 3| 10%| DA| 8| 27%| SDA| 0| 0%| 40% said agree, 24%said strong agree, 10%said neutral and 27%disagree. Table no. 3. 4 Do shy students show sign of social anxiety? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 9| 30%| SA| 8| 27%| N| 3| 10%| DA| 10| 34%| SDA| 0| 0%| 30% said agree, 27%said strong agree, 10%said neutral and 34%disagree. Table no. 3. 5 Do not force the shy out students to prefer in front of the classmates, but encourage him to do? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 12| 40%| SA| 8| 27%| N| 8| 27%| DA| 2| 7%| SDA| 0| 0%| 40% said agree, 27%said strong agree, 27%said neutral and 7%disagree. Table no. 3. 6 Do not make shy out students that feel rushed to answer quickly? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 4| 14%| SA| 20| 67%| N| 6| 20%| DA| 0| 0%| SDA| 0| 0%| 14% said agree, 67%said strong agree and 20%said neutral Table no. 3. 7 Students have courage to comfort their shyness need time to develop? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 9| 30%| SA| 9| 30%| N| 3| 10%| DA| 27| 8%| SDA| 1| 4%| 30% said agree, 30%said strong agree, 10%said neutral, 8%disagree and 4% strong disagree. Table no. 3. 8 The environment which a student raised can affect his or her shyness in classroom discussion? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 7| 24%| SA| 18| 60%| N| 0| 0%| DA| 17| 5%| SDA| 0| 0%| 24% said agree, 60%said strong agree and 5%disagree. Table no. 3. 9 Some students have problematically shy out in varying degree? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 3| 10%| SA| 3| 10%| N| 20| 67%| DA| 2| 7%| SDA| 2| 7%| 10% said agree, 10%said strong agree, 67%said neutral, 7%disagree and 7%strong disagree. Table no. 3. 10 Shy out student diversity affect learning? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 9| 30%| SA| 13| 44%| N| 2| 7%| DA| 6| 20%| SDA| 0| 0%| 30% said agree, 44%said strong agree, 7%said neutral and 20%disagree. Table no. 3. 11 Can we suggest strategies for shy out students which help students for classroom discussion? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 11| 37%| SA| 11| 37%| N| 6| 20%| DA| 2| 7%| SDA| 0| 0%| 37% said agree, 37%said strong agree, 20%said neutral and 7%disagree. Table no. 3. 12 Can we help shy out students to set social development goal for discussion? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 11| 37%| SA| 14| 47%| N| 2| 7%| DA| 3| 10%| SDA| 0| 0%| 37% said agree, 47%said strong agree, 7%said neutral and 10%disagree. Table no. 3. 13 Can teacher s allow the students to speak for break the shyness? Options| Frequency| Percentage| A| 8| 27%| SA| 10| 34%| N| 3| 10%| DA| 7| 24%| SDA| 2| 7%| 27% said agree, 34%said strong agree, 10%said neutral, 24%disagree and 7% strong disagree. Chapter 4 4. 1 Procedure of the Study The researcher herself visited for data collection and personally met the student’s . The researcher briefed the students about the purpose of the research and the teachers identified shy out students, a careful observation was made by the researcher also and only those students were selected who were seemed to be really shy and do not participate in classroom discussion. 4. 2 Findings The data collected through questionnaires was analyzed through the research. The results were interpreted in the forms of tables. * When students were opinion the statement 47% students said they were agree group activities break the shy out of the student, 44% opinion strong agree and 10% opinion strong disagree. * 30% the opinion they are strongly agree that have shy out students discuss their weakness in classroom as a communicator,10 %neutral ,40% disagree and 20% strong disagree . * 40% opinion they are agree that confer with parents give opportunities for shy out student to increase their involvement in classroom discussion , 24%opinion strong agree, 10%opinion neutral and 27%disagree. * 30% opinion they are agree do shy students show sign of social anxiety, 27%opinion strong agree, 10% opinion neutral and 34%disagree. * 40% opinion they are agreeing that do not force the shy out students to prefer in front of the classmates, but encourage him to do? 27% opinion strong agrees, 27% opinion neutral and 7%disagree. * 14% students opinion agree do not make shy out students that feel rushed to answer quickly, 67% opinion strong agree and 20% opinion neutral * 30% students opinion they are agree students have courage to comfort their shyness need time to develop, 30% opinion strong agree, 10%  opinion neutral, 8%disagree and 4% strong disagree. * 24% student’s opinions they are agreeing that the environment which students raised can affect his or her shyness in classroom discussion, 60% opinion strong agree and 5%disagree. * 10% students opinion they are agree some students have problematically shy out in varying degree, 10% opinion strong agree, 67% opinion neutral , 7%disagree and 7%strong disagree. * 30% students opinion they are agree shy out students diversity affect learning , 44% opinion strong agree, 7% opinion neutral and 20%disagree. * 37% student’s opinion agrees can we suggest strategies for shy out which help students for classroom discussion? 37% opinion strong agrees, 20% opinion neutral and 7%disagree. * 37% students said opinion can we help shy out students to set social development goal for discussion, 47% opinion strong agree, 7% neutral and 10%disagree. * 27% students opinion agree that can teachers allow the students to speak for break the shyness, 34% strong agree, 10% neutral, 24%disagree and 7% strong disagree. 4. 3 Explanation Almost all students act shy at times, especially when encountering a new person or situation. Shy sensibly most students take time to figure out what to do (and not do! ) when presented with a novel situation. With time, most students start to feel comfortable in a new situation or with a person theyve recently met and, therefore, act more outgoing, relaxed, and ontaneous. Some students, however, warm up much more slowly than others. Student who is shy may not respond when spoken to by a teacher or classmate even after weeks of academy. Or they may say little, speak very softly, and avoid eye contact. These students may hover near other students day after day but never join the others in play. Shy students may look tense or distracted in institution as they worry about becoming the center of attention or doing something embarrassing. Teachers never see the students at home smiling, laughing, and chatting away with family members. * What is shyness? Almost all students act shy at times, especially when encountering a new person or situation. Quite sensibly most students take time to figure out what to do (and not do!) when presented with a novel situation. With time, most students start to feel comfortable in a new situation or with a person theyve recently met and, therefore, act more outgoing, relaxed, and ontaneous. Some students, however, warm up much more slowly than others. Student who is shy may not respond when spoken to by a teacher or classmate even after weeks of academy. Or they may say little, speak very softly, and avoid eye contact. These students may hover near other students day after day but never join the others in play. Shy students may look tense or distracted in institution as they worry about becoming the center of attention or doing something embarrassing. Teachers never see the students at home smiling, laughing, and chatting away with family members. * What are the signs of shyness in a young student? Shy students tend to show at least 3 or 4 of the following behaviors in preschool or primary school. Shy students tend to: 1. Produce little or no voluntary speech 2. Follow directions but dont respond verbally to them 3. Turn away when spoken to 4. Watch but dont join other students in fun activities. 5. Speak softly * What are the effects of shyness on students in classroom discussion? The unfortunate effects of being shy include nervousness, decreased development of close relationships, interference with learning, and reduced opportunities to practice and improve social skills. As a shy student reaches, peers tend to start thinking of the child as not normal. This can in turn have negative effects on the childs self-esteem. On the other hand, shy student tend to act out less than other students do, perhaps because they dont want to call attention to themselves by doing something wrong. Although some students outgrow shyness as they get older, others remain painfully shy their entire life. * Relationship of Shy out students with Self -Esteem Shy students are seen less friendly than others, maybe a bit standoffish, even cold in some circumstances. shy students probably even see themselves in a more negative than positive light. Because of this worry, their thoughts and strengths are limited to a very small circle of students; they are in fact only limited by their own thoughts and emotions. They constantly think that others are slighting them, insulting them, or attacking them in some way. The shy students can actually handicap themselves with negative thoughts and wind up using their shyness as a crutch and an excuse for not pursuing more social occasions, it becomes to socialize, make friends, and establish relationships, both personal and professional. It becomes a self- defeating behavior. This kind of self-defeating behavior leads to more and more avoidance of any or all social encounters, until they become frozen in fear and completely unable to function in normal social circumstances. They quite literally lose hope in their own ability to function normally in these circumstances, so they quit trying. if the children (adult) feel that there is a discrepancy between the way they are behaving and the way they would like to react, their self esteem is likely to be low. To avoid negative feeling, children may lower their expectations of themselves and accept a lower level of performance or social interaction than they are capable of, or may try to avoid further feeling of failure by withdrawing from the situation in which they feel that there self esteem to be threatened. 4. 4 Conclusion Teachers may be able to help shy students considerably by using strategies that are relatively easy to implement and well matched to the teachers basic role as a helpful instructor to students. These strategies include providing self-concept support, encouragement, and opportunities to develop confidence and comfort in the classroom to shy and inhibited students, as well as closer monitoring, improved nonverbal communication, environmental engineering, and instructive suggestions or demands for improved concentration designed to maintain the attention of students prone to shy out students. Most teachers seem to develop an intuitive understanding of some of the needs of shy students, but many could meet these needs more effectively by systematically applying the principles and strategies highlighted here. 4. 5 Suggestion of shy out students Suggestion one Assuming that you share a common Language with this student, the first step has to be to speak to him in his own language in order to ascertain what the problem is and if he is always shy. In other words is he shy when using his native language or does this shyness only occurs when he is trying to speak? Secondly, it would be very useful to spend some time talking to him about various aspects connected to his one-to-one classes and in particular how he would like to be taught and what his aims are. You could emphasize the value of trying things out in English and learning from mistakes rather than being afraid of them. You could also clarify your role and make sure that he understands that you are there to help and to give him constructive feedback on his English. Suggestion two We provide opportunities for the shy out students to develop debating skills. Provide best activities to break the shyness of the students. Suggestion three Teachers provide group work to make involvement of the students. They help and support the shy out students in classroom discussion and do not asked to him gave answer quickly. Suggestion four You could also use homework as the basis for speaking. If he has prepared a homework exercise (a grammar exercise or similar), go through it in the next class with him reading out the answers. It’s important that he gets used to hearing himself speaking this strange foreign language and feels comfortable with it. Suggestion five Another factor could be the dynamic in the classroom. Sitting next to the student rather than standing or sitting opposite can create a feeling of co-operation and may help the student to overcome his shyness. Writing on sheets of paper on the table rather than the whiteboard could also help as could the use of visual aids on the desk such as maps, photographs, magazine pictures and so on. All of these can help to shift the focus away from the student. The important thing here is for you to experiment and find the style and approach that best suits your student. 4. 6 Recommendations * The students should talk to parents, friends, a mentor or anybody they trust most and should confide and express what they feel. * The students should avoid doing so many things at the same time. Because this could lead them to confusion and frustration if nothing gets accomplished. They must stick on one thing that they are good at. * Parents should teach their children how to behave in a social situation. * Parents should try to be good role models. They must let their children see those making social contacts, expressing themselves and interacting with others. * Parents should help their children to feel themselves important, capable and adequate. Such feelings will enhance their self-esteem. * Teachers should avoid calling their students shy. If labeling occurs in the classroom, teachers should intervene. * Teachers should encourage shy students to participate actively in classroom activities 4. 7 SUMMARY Shy students participate less frequently in class, are less likely to volunteer contributions, and give shorter and less elaborate answers to questions. Differences between shy and less shy students extend to their performance on standardized tests of vocabulary. What is shyness in students? Almost all students act shy at times, especially when encountering a new person or situation. Quite sensibly most students take time to figure out what to do (and not do! ) when presented with a novel situation. With time, most students start to feel comfortable in a new situation or with a person theyve recently met and, therefore, act more outgoing, relaxed, and ontaneous. Some students, however, warm up much more slowly than others. * Causes of shy out students Some children seem naturally shy, while others may revert to being shy because they are scared, ashamed or simply conditioned by past experiences to do so. A lack of confidence can cause a child to become shy, especially if she has been given reason to doubt her abilities in the past. 1. Lost Discussion Skills Students who do not interact with others in the classroom miss opportunities to learn crucial interpersonal skills. Students miss opportunities to develop debating skills. 2. Lost Assertiveness Shy students may be less willing to mention when they are struggling with class room discussion, causing them to not receive the help they need. 3. Lost Opportunities When students do not have enough experiences, they miss many opportunities to learn. Students who are very shy may be distracted from classroom material because of fears of social interaction or being called on in class. 4. Students often get ignored Shy students often have difficulty with class grades, but that largely comes from lower levels of class participation and oral skills. Whether shyness is learned, cultural, or genetic, it can present problems for both students and instructors, most commonly in smaller classes in which participation is expected/encouraged. 5. Low Self-Efficacy. Shy students often develop low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, which reduces the chances that they will have the confidence to pursue challenges that give them learning opportunities. Shyness can also create an unfortunate cycle, as timid students do not develop effective communication skills. * Strategies to Overcome Shyness of students Following strategies to help the students to overcome their shyness. 1. Tell the students about times when you acted bashful 2. Explain to the children how they will benefit from acting outgoing Prevent labeling of the children as shy. 3. Expose the children to unfamiliar settings and people 4. Prompt the children to interact with others 5. Reward the children for outgoing behavior * Signs of shy out students 1. Produce little or no voluntary speech 2. Follow directions but dont respond verbally to them 3. Turn away when spoken to 4. Watch but dont join other students in fun activities 5. Make little or no eye contact * Teachers do to help shy out students 1. Put children in pairs or other small groups and lead them into an activity that requires interaction. 2. Prompt interaction between students. 3. Give shy students plenty of time to respond to questions or to speak to the class. 4. Show empathy and understanding. 5. Show warmth. 6. Reward outgoing behavior. * Effects of student’s shyness on classroom discussion Effects of being shy include: 1. Nervousness in discussion. 2. Decreased development of close relationships. 3. Interference with learning. 4. Reduced opportunities to practice in classroom discussion. 5. Improve social skills. References Byrnes, A, D. (1984). Forgotten children in classrooms: Development and Characteristics. The elementary school journal, Vol. 84, No. 3 [Online] Available: http:

Functional Behavioral Assessment Example

Functional Behavioral Assessment Example Functional Behavioral Assessment Mitchell Sample is a fifteen year old male student in the tenth grade at Anytown High School. He lives at home with his parents, Mary and Joseph Sample, three older siblings, all male. Mitchell was referred for a functional behavior assessment due to noncompliance with classroom rules and emotional outbursts he exhibits within the school setting. These outbursts have resulted in his periodic removal from the regular education classroom setting. His behavior and consequent removal from class is affecting his academic performance. He is failing all his classes with the exception of Art II and PE. Kerr maintains that a functional behavior analysis â€Å"contribute to more effective interventions.† For this reason an FBA is needed to determine the function of the behavior and how to establish a plan that will redirect the target behavior in to the proper direction. Background Information consisting of parent interviews and review of permanent records indicate that Mitchell was initially referred for special education and related services when he was eight years old due to low academics and behavioral concerns. He was found ineligible for services and has attended a general education classes ever since. He has remained in general education environment since the time. Mitchell has a history of struggling academically. He is demonstrating noncompliant behavior by not turning in assignments and ignoring teaching requests and commands. Recently, he has started exhibiting emotional outbursts which causes a removal from the regular education setting. These outbursts interfere with his education as well as the education of other students in the class. Description of Assessment Methods Direct Observations of performance for three hours across six settings which included World History class, English 10 class, Algebra 1 class, art class, lunch and hall pass time. Teacher Interviews utilizing a variation of the Functional Assessment Interview Form. Educational records review, including child teacher support team file. Functional Assessment Results Kerr and Nelson (2010) point out that â€Å"educators are required to conduct an FBA when persistent behavioral concerns exist (FBA is commonly a part of the pre-referral and referral activities, and IEP development, review, and revision for misbehaving students) they are also required by law to conduct it within 10 days of any singular offense by a student with a disability that is punishable by:removal to an Interim Alternative Educational Setting† (Kerr, 2010). A functional assessment of behaviors of concern was conducted for this report using indirect (interviews) and descriptive (structured observation) methods. A topographical definition of the behaviors of concern was developed from interviews and then the behaviors of concern were observed utilizing a momentary time sampling. The antecedents, functions and consequences were then analyzed for this report based on recommended research standards in order to develop a hypothesis for the reasons for the behavior. A-B-C CHART Antecedent Behavior Consequence World History: Demands placed on Mitchell in classroom. Mitchell talks and ignores teacher instructions. Teacher repeats instruction while asking Mitchell to comply with the request. Teacher initiates classroom transition. â€Å"Turn in your warm up and take out your study guide for review.† Mitchell says, â€Å"I don’t have my study guide† and then turns to talk to peer. Teacher asks Mitchell to stop talking, and then asks him specifically to turn in his warm up. Teacher gives copy of study guide to Mitchell, and tells him, â€Å"Fill this out as we review answers.† Mitchell tosses paper on desk, and says, â€Å"Yea, right. Doesn’t make any difference if I do it or not. Screw you.† Teacher ignored Mitchell’s comment and started review. Class begins study guide review activity. Mitchell talks to peer as teacher conducts lesson. Teacher requests Mitchell remain quiet while review is going on unless he is answering a question about the review. Teacher gives Mitchell choice of not talking during instruction or going to the hall. Mitchell chooses to go to the hall. Mitchell walks away from class and is written up for being in an unauthorized area. Art class: Mitchell is given clay to work with. Mitchell participates in activity without disrupting class. Mitchell has clay formed and stored for use for next class period. Algebra 1 class: Teacher asks class to get out their assignment to be checked. Mitchell is talking to peer and does not comply. Teacher ignores Mitchell’s talking and Mitchell does not work on his assignment. English 10: Mitchell is asked to remain silent and get his assignment out to pass in. Mitchell replied, â€Å"I don’t have the damn assignment.† . Mitchell is written up for insubordination and inappropriate use of language Description of Behavior (1) Emotional Outbursts: Data Collection: Data were collected in five minute time sample recordings using a partial interval recording. A positive interval of this behavior was recorded if the behavior occurred at any time during the five minute interval. Data are reported using percentage of positively scored intervals. Data Collection Outcome: This behavior was observed on two occasions once during English 10 and twice during World History. On the first occasion, the behavior occurred for 12 out of the 30 minute intervals. On the second occasion, the behavior occurred for 10 out of the 30 minutes intervals. (2) Noncompliant behavior Data Collection: Using the five minute time sample, this behavior occurred in three settings. On the first occasion the behavior occurred for 15 of the 30 minutes. On the second occasion, the behavior occurred during the entire 30 minutes. On the third occasion, the behavior occurred for 10 of 10 minutes. Antecedent Analysis In an antecedent analysis, one tries to identify the events, situations and circumstances that set the occasion for a higher likelihood of the behavior and those that set the occasion for a lower likelihood. Analysis of these variables allows a more specific intervention as well as identification of environmental mediators to more fully assess the maintaining variables (Scott, T., Anderson, C., Spaulding, S., 2008). Based on the functional assessment interviews and structured observations, the emotional outbursts behavior can occur during any instructional class period (Scott, T., Anderson, C., Spaulding, S., 2008). It is reported that this behavior usually occurs when the teacher makes a request for Mitchell follow class procedures or produce classwork. During the structured observations, Mitchell exhibited this behavior during English 10 instruction after the teachers request for the assignment was made. During World History, Mitchell did not have his homework and continued to ta lk even when the teacher specifically requested he remain quiet during instructional time. Function of the Behaviors The functions of these behaviors produce attention, escaping the assigned task, and being removed from the classroom. In Mitchell’s situation, the function of his behavior appears to be avoiding academic classwork. References Kerr, M., Nelson, C. M. (2010). Strategies for addressing behavior problems in the classroom  (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Scott, T., Anderson, C., Spaulding, S. (2008). Strategies for developing and carrying out  functional assessment and behavior intervention plans. Preventing School Failure, 52(3),  39–50. Retrieved from the Walden Library using the Education Research Complete  database: http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truedb=ehhAN=32013629site=ehost-livescope=site

Parsimony ? The Fourth Substance :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites Occasionalism is a variation upon Cartesian metaphysics. The latter is the most notorious case of dualism (mind and body, for instance). The mind is a â€Å"mental substance†. The body – a â€Å"material substance†. What permits the complex interactions which happen between these two disparate â€Å"substances†? The â€Å"unextended mind† and the â€Å"extended body† surely cannot interact without a mediating agency, God. The appearance is that of direct interaction but this is an illusion maintained by Him. He moves the body when the mind is willing and places ideas in the mind when the body comes across other bodies. Descartes postulated that the mind is an active, unextended, thought while the body is a passive, unthinking extension. The First Substance and the Second Substance combine to form the Third Substance, Man. God – the Fourth, uncreated Substance – facilitates the direct interaction among the two within the third. F oucher raised the question: how can God – a mental substance – interact with a material substance, the body. The answer offered was that God created the body (probably so that He will be able to interact with it). Leibnitz carried this further: his Monads, the units of reality, do not really react and interact. They just seem to be doing so because God created them with a pre-established harmony. The constant divine mediation was, thus, reduced to a one-time act of creation. This was considered to be both a logical result of occasionalism and its refutation by a reductio ad absurdum argument. But, was the fourth substance necessary at all? Could not an explanation to all the known facts be provided without it? The ratio between the number of known facts (the outcomes of observations) and the number of theory elements and entities employed in order to explain them – is the parsimony ratio. Every newly discovered fact either reinforces the existing worldview – or forces the introduction of a new one, through a â€Å"crisis† or a â€Å"revolution† (a â€Å"paradigm shift† in Kuhn’s abandoned phrase). The new worldview need not necessarily be more parsimonious. It could be that a single new fact precipitates the introduction of a dozen new theoretical entities, axioms and functions (curves between data points). The very delineation of the field of study serves to limit the number of facts, which could exercise such an influence upon the existing worldview and still be considered pertinent.

The Benefits of Guide Dogs Essay -- essays research papers fc

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Benefits of Guide Dogs and the Process of Obtaining Them If you are 16 or older, legally blind, and have the ability to love and take care of a dog, you may be a candidate for a guiding eyes dog. Guide dogs help blind or visually impaired people get around the world. In most countries, they are allowed anywhere that the public is allowed, so they can help their handlers be any place they might want to go. To do this, a guide dog must know how to: keep on a direct route, ignoring distractions such as smells, other animals and people, maintain a steady pace to the left and just ahead of the handler, stop at all curbs until told to proceed, turn left and right, move forward and stop on command, recognize and avoid obstacles that the handler won’t be able to fit through (narrow passages and overheads), stop at the bottom and top of stairs until told to proceed, bring the handler to elevator buttons, lie quietly when the handler is sitting down, help the handler to board and move around buses, subways, and other forms of public transport ation, and finally, to obey a number of verbal commands (Fueoco, 2001).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Additionally, a guide dog must know to disobey any command that would put the handler in danger. This ability, called selective disobedience, is perhaps the most amazing think about guide dogs – that they can balance obedience with their own assessment of the situation. This capacity is extremely important at crosswalks, where the handler and dog must work very closely together to navigate the situation safely. When the team reaches the curb, the dog stops, signaling to the handler that they have reached a crosswalk. Dogs cannot distinguish the color of traffic lights, so the handler must make the decision of when it is safe to proceed across the road. The handler listens to the flow of traffic to figure out when the light has changed and then gives the command, â€Å"forward.† If there is no danger, the dog proceeds across the road in a straight line. If there are cars approaching, the dog waits until the danger is gone and then follows the forward command.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In a handler – guide dog team, the guide dog doesn’t lead the handler and the handler doesn’t completely control the guide dog; the two work together t... ...to the puppy - raisers if they are thinking of one day owning a dog but are unaware of the responsibility that comes along with it. Puppy – raisers are also just doing it out of the goodness of their hearts, which is a great thing, in my eyes. I believe that the process in which these dogs go through is necessary, and extremely important if there is expected success. Success, of course, is the ability of a blind person and dog to work together and live happily. The dog serves as eyes for the owner, and the owner is a companion to a dog that is required to have much socialization during training. It is not difficult to see how wonderful this practice of guide dog training can be, and the substantial benefits that develop once the training is completed. Works Cited: Fueoco, Linda. â€Å"Guide Dog Educates Students, Gives Owner Mobility.† Pet Tales. 1.2 (October 2001). Oct. 2001. http://www.post - gazette.com/pets/20001025spet.asp http://penny.myriad.net/chosen.html http://www.guidedogs.com.au/faq/faq_dog.html http://www.guiding-eyes.org/info/getdog.html http://thepuppyplace.org/page19.html http://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/pupraise/about.html

Abortion Should Remain Legal Essay example -- The Right to Life, Pro-Li

Abortion. This one word, or statement in this case, can be defined as death to some and as life to others. With two completely different explanations of a word, it is obvious that abortion is probably one of the leading topics of controversy in the world today. So, who will win the fight? The pro-choice supporters, or the pro-life supporters? It has been a battle since the first laws of abortion were enforced in the 1820’s. Neither parties are right, however neither is wrong. Abortion is a personal opinion that is conducted according to the personal reason. Honestly, although there are several people, pro-choice to be exact, that disagree, the question I ask is â€Å"Why should abortion be legal†? Isn’t it murder? Isn’t it taking a helpless souls life? In a case of an abortion, the child doesn’t stand a chance. It is unfair to the innocent and selfish of the one who makes the decision to abort the child. A legitimate reason can’t be found to take a life. When someone hits a motorist and kills them by car accident, they are prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter. These people serve time for the crime that they commit. Abortion only differs in one way; it is voluntary. The average punishment for voluntary manslaughter is life behind bars. If someone abuses a child to the point of death, they are prosecuted for homicide and will likely serve their entire life in prison. Abortion is the same as child abuse to the point of death. With legalized abortions, at the time that someone has the abortion, they hav e the procedure, and walk free and clear, several feeling no regret or guilt from their actions at all. They should have to pay for their selfish acts. The right to a legal abortion is allowing the mistake of pregnancy to become ... ...ose that are sexually assaulted. As for those that it is a personal choice to discontinue the pregnancy, I do not believe that it should be legal for personal reasons. There are thousands of people that are waiting to adopt newborns, therefore if there is not a health concern for the mother or the child, the abortion should not be allowed. I believe that this would teach our society to practice safe sex and to administer birth control more freely. So, abortion, legal or not legal? That is our question. Thinking critically, I believe that it is necessary to be a legal procedure only with limitations however. I also believe that it is the business of the pregnant women that is considering the abortion. Our society does not have a right to judge someone by the actions. Only God will judge us one day and he is the one for us to assure that we will do by his will.

Mark Mathabane’s Kaffir Boy Essay

Racial Discrimination, has already been a long term phenomenon, in existent in almost all societies in different eras and civilization. The idea of discrimination is inevitable. Considering that such discrimination creates social structure as regards what is expected of everybody in a society and what is due to them. However, sometimes this social structure is abused, beyond its limit. People who belong to a higher status quo would definitely do whatever it takes to keep it. To illustrate, colonizers who had way better technology, combat powers and knowledge as compared to areas being colonized, would come to these new conquests are superiors. They would then take the locals as slaves and ravish on the wealth that they have to offer. In their own place, these locals become discriminated and unwanted. In return, locals would do whatever it takes to associate themselves with the colonizers, by looking like them, being friends with them, working for them, or marrying people of their kind. And it always seems that it is the right thing to do. When the British came to South Africa, this is exactly what happened. Mark Mathabane’s Kaffir Boy, tells a real story of a man who chose to fight a different battle to combat discrimination and inequality. While most of his relatives act as freedom fighters, he came to America to educate himself and to excel in a sport he loves. His success has given so much inspiration. His story as depicted in his book will take us with him as he reveals the horrors of his past. Mark Mathabane lived in a country, wherein racial divide, for most of its early years seemed to be the only thing that defines them. South Africa, a country nestled in the continent of Africa, was once invaded by white colonizers too. And they have proven that they came there to stay. In a country such as South Africa, a nation so unique as compared to other nations in the African continent. South Africa can be considered as diverse in a special way, because it is the only African country that has Caucasians as locals. Originally dominated by black Americans, South Africa is now a melting pot of two cultures. Analysis It had never occurred to me that though the two were different as night and day, as separate as east and -west, they had everything to do with each other; that one could not be without the other (94) This statement from Johannes best explains the struggles of Mathabane. In summary it explains how the two dominant races in South Africa has tried to isolate each group against each other, by means of creating physical division such as creating boundaries and naming certain places as black or white territory. Whites are in a way regarded more superior because they are more literate as well. The government also used formal means to strengthen the divide by creating laws such as prohibiting mix marriages, and creating policies in the education system that seems to favor a specific race. Overall, it was almost the generally accepted norm, to- categorize, discriminate. Kaffir Boy, is a tale about Mark Mathabane’s life growing up in South Africa, just outside of Johannesburg. Mark Mathabane lives in the town of Alexandra during industrial colonialism period with his parents, five sisters and a brother. He talks about how he experienced brutality and starvation from the Peri Urban, an Apartheid police group in South Africa. Growing up very poor, he dreamt of having a better life for him and his family. He often questioned the prejudices happening around him and has decided to take the course of his destiny in his own hands. As a young boy, he struggled with his identity. He wonders which religion he should practice, which country or class he should belong. There is so much craving for autonomy that at a young age he began resenting his parents’ religious and tribal heritage and eventually decided to leave Africa. Believing that religion, specifically Christianity was used wrongfully by different groups and races, he eventually rejected it. He believes that government used it to claim that God had given whites the divine right to rule over blacks; the black churches misused it by demanding money from Africans who were already destitute; and black churches further misused it by resigning themselves to the idea that this was their â€Å"lot† in life, God’s will for black men and women (36). Mathabane also recalled how apartheid made use of tribalism as form of torture against Africans. He believes that his father, allowed himself to be controlled by superstitions, Relatively mature for his age, he reiterates his independence by doing what he pleases with his life. For Mathabane, the Christian God is bias in favor of the whites and is oblivious to the African’s pain. Although he recognizes its legitimacy as sign of respect for her mother’s faith, he still rejects it the way he rejects tribalism and African superstition. For him, submitting to any specific belief or religion is synonymous with compromising his free will. In page 208 of the book he further on states African â€Å"superstition† and tribal culture were not for him. His scorn for his father lay in the fact that his father clung to values which had â€Å"outlived† their â€Å"usefulness,† values which discriminated against him while he attempted to function within the white man’s world (208). â€Å"What Mathabane did accept, though it took some trial and error, was his mother’s understanding that education would lead him to a better life. Learning English, he decided, was the â€Å"crucial key† to unlocking the doors of the white world (193). The books that white people read led to the â€Å"power† they had over black people (254). Mathabane eventually decided that literacy was a necessary element in the liberation struggle. How can the illiterate function, he wondered, in a world ruled by signs (201) Books had taught him about places where he could be â€Å"free to think and feel the way I want, instead of the way apartheid wants† (254). He then realizes that he needs to make important decisions in order to make his dreams come true. Thinking that South Africa has nothing much to offer, at least for a poor black African boy like him, he decided to try his luck with American Universities. As he begins to plot his future, his tennis abilities begin to progress faster and better. Being an avid fan of Arthur Ashe, he takes his wins and losses as if his own. The achievements of his â€Å"idol† encourages him to do better every single day. From black state competitions, he started joining the more prestigious white state competitions. His participation in white state competitions led to his banning from joining black state competitions. At this point, he feels as if his progress in his craft takes him away from the things he loved the most. Luckily, Mark later on leaves for the United States as a university scholar, through the help of a famous American tennis player and other white donors. Conclusion â€Å"Deep within me,I knew that I could never really leave South Africa or Alexandra. I was Alexandra, I was South Africa†¦ † (348). This goes to show that despite of all the successes, the author looks back in his roots. At first, his move out of Africa was just his way of â€Å"escaping† the endless circle of failed dreams and lack of opportunities. But his absence in his country makes him reaffirm his identity, and gives him the opportunity, to finally appreciate what his past has to offer for his present and for his future. This book tells a very dark story filled with pain, sadness and loneliness on most of its chapters, but it also provides a strong foundation for the readers to further understand the plight of the narrator. The journey he took was not only of hope, but rather, a journey of rediscovery. How can the illiterate function, he wondered, in a world ruled by signs (201)? The books had taught him and transported him to places where he could be â€Å"free to think and feel the way I want, instead of the way apartheid wants† (254). Why burn the only thing that taught one to believe in the future, to fight for one’s right to live in freedom and dignity? † (285). Here reaffirms his conclusion as we experiences Soweto riots, which was triggered by resentment over the government’s ruling that African education system be taught it Afrikaans instead of English. Upon witnessing the library burn down he inquired for enlightenment from one of his peers, who mentioned that the burning is for the destruction of all the traces of white oppression in the Bantu Education system. The struggles in his youth, leads him to think that literacy is the key to success. by learning English, he will be given better opportunities, the same as the whites. According to the author, literacy has given the whites so much edge and power over the black Africans. Having an education will somehow even out the playing field. Literacy for Mathabane is so important, that for him this will eventually lead them to be liberated from all their struggles. In the end, we really have no control over our government, over the people around us, and over norms and traditions we grew up with. But we do have full control over our perspective, our feelings and destiny. And this is precisely what Mathabane did. He took charge of his own future. This book inspires me to examine the choices I have made as a young person, at the same time, it makes me wonder whether the previous steps I have taken in life will take me closer to my aspirations or take me farther. But then, it makes me think deeper not just about my ambitions, but what I really want to contribute to my society in the end. This book serves as a wake up call. In a society wherein we are given so much opportunity, it seems as if we are left with no excuses not to excel. Reference: Mark Mathabane, 1998, Kaffir Boy, Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group

Moral Panic Sociology

A moral panic is defined by Cohen as ‘a condition, episode, person or group or persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interests ‘. In other words, a moral panic is an exaggerated reaction of fear towards a group or issue that causes panic in society, felt and reacted to by the public, media, police, and politicians etc. An example of a moral panic would be the increased fear over knife crime in Britain especially over the last few years. A folk devil is the group/issue at the heart of the panic, which are condemned, feared, labelled and/or blamed.An example of a folk devil would be youths, in relation to knife crime, terrorist, or ‘mods and rockers ‘established in the 1960s. These moral panics and folk devils are created and exacerbated by ‘moral crusaders ‘, the media is most likely the biggest agency that does this. Media reports often greatly exaggerate certain and specific areas of crime or deviance that are aimed to be a moral panic, and to victimize certain groups as folk devils. It reports on, for example, the alleged rising number of knife related crimes, and how a high percentage of youths in a neighbourhood near you are carrying a knife, even if this is a fallacy.  Read also  Sociology and Social Integration.This increase in media attention brings about a what is called a deviancy amplification spiral . This consists of a combination of contributing factors, the increased media attention brings about a heightened sense of public fear, resulting in a real increase in crime, either from the folk devils in question or from copycats, which in turn brings about a police reaction, creating a vicious circle of self-fulfilling prophecies, and the fear and media attention only increases the situation, this spiral also results in these panics lasting a lot longer than perhaps they should.The media uses the weapon of fear to stimulate moral panics, they give the view that firstly these deviant groups offer a threat to the norms, values and attitudes of the majority of society, and that a change will be brought about to people's lives as these cannot be controlled. The media also gives credence to the view that moral standards are declining, and by exaggerating the crime paints the portrait of a country falling into a downward spiral. A conservative media article