What Happens When a Technique is not Delivered with Fidelity

What Happens When a Technique is not

Delivered with Fidelity

When a teacher does not provide specific positive praise and affirmations, they are not communicating to their students the required behaviour or skill they are doing well and affirming the correct answers students have given. They may instead be providing general feedback that is not tied to skills or behaviours. They could be focusing on the negative behaviours that students are displaying or learning that is not happening. It does not instil in students the connection between doing the right thing and being acknowledged for doing so. Students can act out inappropriately to get attention from the teacher. 

The problem is compounded. 

Teachers who have not prepared their lessons are not able to focus on providing specific positive praise and affirmations. They are just trying to teach the lesson.  

When students are not given positive praise for desired behaviours, the teacher is not promoting expected behaviours. Students do not become confident learners as they are not sure whether they are meeting the teacher’s expectations for desired behaviours or learning.