Reference no: EM132481051

Assignment: Deliverable Length: 4-5 strong paragraphs

Graduate Programs Discussion Boards

Discussion Boards (DB) are a key component of online learning. They foster active participation of learners and dialog with fellow learners and instructors. Graduate-level courses require learners to create original posts to course DBs and to engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the course. Original posts and responses should be substantive, and if references are made to the works of others, APA guidelines for in-text citations and references apply.

Minimum Weekly DB Expectations

• Post an original and thoughtful Main Post to the DB prompt.

• Respond to at least 2 other posts from learners and/or the instructor (Response Posts).

• The first contribution (Main Post or Response Post) must be posted before midnight (Central time) on Friday of each week.

• Two additional responses are required after Friday of each week.

• For DB assignment prompts with a Part One and Part Two, Part One should be addressed in the first week of the unit with a Main Post and minimum of 2 Response Posts, and Part Two should be addressed in the second week of the unit with a Main Post and a minimum of 2 Response Posts.

More on DBs

At the end of each unit, DB participation is assessed based on level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion. DBs allow learners to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB are accepted after the end of the unit. Learners must demonstrate an appropriate depth of understanding of course content to receive credit for having submitted substantive posts. Typically, this is achieved with 3-4 strong paragraphs for Main Posts and 2-3 strong paragraphs for Response Posts.

Assignment Specifics

Part One

Discuss the following:

• How did behaviorism become such a dominant theoretical basis for education and training in the United States?

• How do behaviorists make the logical transition in their thinking from experiments on pigeons, rats, dogs, and apes to conclusions about human learning?

• Why might an educator choose a specific behavioral approach? Consider learning audiences, types of learning events, learner management, and learning activities.

Illustrate your discussions with examples.

Part Two

The scientific or positivist philosophy of education argues that knowledge can be discovered and constructed scientifically. Positivists assume that people can discover the truth about the world and that everyone needs to work toward knowledge of the same, ultimate truth, regardless of the topic or field of study. Discuss the following:

• In what ways does behaviorist theory support this philosophy?

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.