----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald Green" <greenelt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Assertive Discipline
Adele wrote:
A long time ago I bought a set of books by Lee Canter - on the topic of What he calls "Assertive Discipline - Positive Reinforcement"... [T]he following gives a very good summary and a list of sources: http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/EDSPC715_MCINTYRE/AssertiveDiscipl ine.html It's definitely worth reading! I hope even the skeptics give it a try.
One doesn't need to be too much of a skeptic to see that "Assertive Discipline" is a return to good old Behaviorism, with "Positive Reinforcement" even using the old term from Skinner. Stimulus - response - reinforcement. He couldn't have said it better: "Students who comply are reinforced, whereas those who disobey rules and directions receive negative consequences." (Third paragraph in above site)
If that is what is being advocated, its compatibility with the enlightened approach of teachers being "facilitators" is interesting. I quote from the second paragraph of the above site: "The Cantors believe that you, as the teacher, have the right to determine what is best for your students, and to expect compliance."
The article is certainly interesting reading!
Ronald Green
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