Module+17+Learning

=**__Learning__**= Daugther: "When I pulled the doggy's tail, it bit me." Mother: "Will you ever do that again to the doggy?" Daughter: "No, I don't want to get bit." This diaglogue, albeit simple, illustrates an example of learning. Clearly, the little girl learnt an unpleasant lesson about why one should not pull a dog's tail: the dog might bite them. We can say here that there has been a **noticeable (read: "observable") change of behavior** by the little girl - she stopped pulling the dog's tail. Thus we can say that __learning has occured__.

__How We Learn__
We have two approaches to learning that we will be giving serious consideration of they are: [| Classical Conditioning] [|Operant Conditioning]


 * __Opening Activity__**

[|A Clockwork Orange]

//**Clockwork Orange**// is a novel by Anthony Burgess. It is a dystopian satire of how a penal system can cure its convicts using classical conditioning. The film is without doubt meant for an adult audience. The scene I have found on Youtube has had the violent film footage that the central character, played by Malcolm McDowell, is viewing edited out. This character has been convicted of rape and murder. He is a habitual criminal and gang leader. He accepts this "new treatment" as part of his sentence in the hopes that he can get out of serving his entire sentence in prison. What he does not know prior to accepting this treatment is that it is simply based on classical conditioning whereby scenes of violence and rape are showed to him while a drug administered prior to his viewing causes him to experience extreme nausea. As a consequence of this sort of treatment he cannot return back to his former self - the cruel criminal type. The question the book asks is, "Is this the sort of treatment we want to subject people to in order to cure them of their social transgressions?" We are after all not dogs; we humans have a conscience that needs to be addressed in our reform. I encourage you to see the film, or read the book (the lexicon created by the author is truly remarkable). The scene below has been severely edited. media type="youtube" key="_NMzepSePD4" height="344" width="425"
 * __Questions for consideration__** (Please posts your responses in the discussion tab above).
 * 1) **What is your personal opinion about this sort of treatment for criminals? Why would you endorse or reject it?**
 * 2) **During his treatment Beehtovan's 8th Symphony is played, after whenever Alex hears that music he begins to feel nauseated. How is this reminiscent of Watson's experiment on Little Albert?**

This module will primarily focus on your understanding of classical and operant conditioning are. As well you need to understand just what learning means.

Notes:

Part I Reading worksheet:

Part II Classical Conditioning Exercise:

Part III Operant Conditioning Exercises:

Part II Reading worksheet: By now you have a pretty good idea about how we can learn/teach something. Clearly, there is a lot to say about using operant conditioning for teaching. But one thing that is very important about operant conditioning is the way a reinforcer (reward) is given. Children that have been taught to delay their gratification are high achievers once they get into their adolescence. They might even be life long achievers. FYI watch the video. media type="youtube" key="4CYr4FgMYGI" height="344" width="425"
 * Being a Good Trainer/Teacher: Being a Good Learner**