Positive Reinforcement

Another week in ASU, another rap in class. Ironically, we're talking about how positive reinforcement is the best way to make a class work, rather than rewards and punishment; the professor had asked for a copy of my last poem, and published it on the back of his handout (to all his classes). Correspondingly, I gave him another poem.

Studies show that reinforcement
has a longer lasting effect
because punishment only lasts
as long as you’re breathing down their neck
see, it doesn’t get internal or stick
if you just stop and punish ‘em quick
look at it this way
they may only behave when you look
but start to hate you
like a fish watching a hook
it makes nothing lasting, nothing intrinsic
it might work in the short-term
but no matter how you spin it
a temporary increase in compliance
only hides a growing need for defiance
you’re not teaching them how to behave
you’re offering none of the praise that they crave
you’re not reducing the chances
that they misbehave again
simply smacking down in the moment
right there and then
positive reinforcement has all of these benefits
so give me just a couple of bars to sell it
I’m here to tell you that reinforcing classroom behavior
is quite simply and potentially a class management savior
it simultaneously teaches what’s expected
while giving them a reason to do it undirected
like a pulling a scary white rabbit out of a hat
you can teach dogs to drool for beef fat
with nothing more than the clanging of a bell
so use some conditioning to reinforce, reward, and sell
just remember and don’t forget
to spread out your rewards
so they don’t get dependent on candy
and just your words keep them focused, not bored