User:Randy Frazer

Randy's Token Economy System Mini-Course

About me

My name is Randy Frazer and I am currently a resident on New York City. I chose to take online courses primarily because I work full time in an elementary school in Brooklyn as an after school program director. I attended undergraduate school at Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts where I received a B.A. in History and Secondary Education. I was born in New York City and raised in both Harlem and Mount Vernon New York.

My Topic/Purpose

Creating a Classroom Mini-Economy

The purpose of this mini-course is to provide a strong classroom management system to novice educators. This mini-course will show educators how to design and implement a token economy system in the classroom. I believe that classroom time could be used more efficiently and effectively if educators didn’t have to spend time redirecting and addressing student behavior.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

Identify effective uses of a token economy system in the classroom
Demonstrate their understanding of how to develop and implement a token economy system in the classroom
Evaluate how to differentiate the token economy system to meet the needs of their learners

Needs Assessment

Instructional Problem: Classroom management is one of the toughest aspects of teaching for novice teachers. Often time teachers are presented with a variety of behavior issues in the classroom that prevent them from meeting lesson objectives. A large portion of class is dedicated to addressing and redirecting student behavior issues. What if teachers could create a system that provides rewards to students who engage in desired classroom behavior? A classroom token economy is a strong classroom management tool that can help novice teachers better manage their classrooms.

When novice teachers learn about the token economy system they may be hesitant to switch to it at first because of their inexperience with the model and fear of the time and resources needed for implementation. These systems are proven to be helpful in improving both the academic and behavioral functioning of students. A token economy system can help improve classroom management and increase desired behaviors. However, "teachers designing and administering token economy programs should be trained in behavior modification procedures, record keeping, and analysis. They also need to read and review any appropriate literature". This mini-course will help novice teachers develop an action plan and implement a token economy system in their classroom that will increase desired behaviors.

What is to be Learned: Participants will learn the purpose of a token economy system and its uses. Participants will also learn how to effectively implement a token economy system in the classroom to improve classroom management and increase desired behaviors.

Analysis of the Learner and Context

The Learners: This mini-course is geared toward current novice school teachers in any discipline who are interested in learning new classroom management strategies. Participants will need to have a classroom of their own in order to monitor, adjust, and reflect on their implementation of the system. Participants who already use the token economy system may also find this mini-course to be useful in learning alternative ways to implement the system.

Instructional Context: Participants will complete coursework online and in the classroom. They will need a stable internet connection and access to a computer. Participants will be able to move through the course at their own pace but should plan enough time to monitor, adjust, and reflect on the implementation of the system. Participants will be required to read text, analyze and view videos, respond to open-ended questions, develop and implement an instructional action plan, and reflect on their learning.

Exploring the Instructional Problem and Solution: The learner will be instructed through reading and videos. Participants will learn about the theory behind token economy systems and explore the different ways in which the system can be implemented. Participants will learn strategies and techniques that will help improve student behavior.

Goals for this Mini-Course: The main goal of this mini-course is for novice teachers to improve their classroom management and to deeply understand the purpose of token economy systems and how to implement them. All participants are expected to implement a token economy system in their classroom after completing this mini-course.

Performance-Based Objectives

By the end of this mini-course participants will achieve the following learning outcomes:

Participants will be able to...

Identify the purpose of a token economy system and seven reasons for using the system
Make connections between the world economy and the classroom token economy system
Compare and contrast different token economy systems and evaluate the use of each after watching short video clips and completing a venn diagram
Identify at least 3 negative behaviors exhibited by learners and 3 desired behaviors instructors wish to see in the classroom after careful analysis
Design and implement an action plan for introducing and incorporating a token economy system in the classroom
Monitor student progress, adjust the token economy system to better meet needs of learners, and reflect on their implementation and success in achieving system goals

Task Analysis

Part 1: Goals:

Terminal Goal: Participants will choose to implement an effective token economy system that meets the needs of their learners using techniques, action plan, data, and reflections developed through this course to increase the frequency of desired behaviors from their learners.

Enabling Goals:

Participants will understand what elements are needed in a token economy and how to effectively use the system in the classroom

Participants will develop an action plan for designing and implementing a token economy system in the classroom

Part 2: KASI

Knowledge:

Strong understanding of the content
How to steps for starting a token economy system
Token economy system best practices
How to navigate the Internet and view YouTube videos

Attitudes:

Believe that token economy system is an effective form of classroom management
Believe that token-economy improves students learning and behavior

Skills:

Ability to analyze videos for effectiveness
Ability to create student jobs and identify positive reinforcement rewards
Ability to create an action plan prior to implementation

Interpersonal Skills:

Effective at providing peer feedback and constructive criticism

Part 3: Pedagogical Approach

Unit 1: Instructivist because participants will learn about token economy systems through articles and videos.

Unit 2: Constructivist because participants incorporate strategies of designing, implementing, and adjusting a token economy system by developing an action plan for their classrooms.