2015 International Reflective-Reflexive Practice Education Conference

on

William Glasser’s Choice Theory

presented by“The Fantastic Five“

Members: Resha ShallowAmisha YoungRuiz ThomasAkida St. Cyr

Tomasha Connor (Group Leader)

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Description and Overview Presentation

This assignment is geared towards developing a learning community who embodies effective and healthy group dynamics during the reflective-reflexive process.

‘Reflective – Reflexive Practice’ has been supported by a number of theories, and today we the members of The Fantastic Five Team will be presenting on Mr. William Glasser’s Choice Theory.

The Choice Theory was once called the Reality Theory, then was changed to the Control theory, then lastly named The Choice Theory

Please enjoy our presentation as we seek to point out these topics, in relation to the theory:

The agenda for this presentation is as follows:

1.Description and Overview of Presentation – Tomasha Connor (Group Leader)2.Description and Overview of the theory - (Resha Shallow)3.Implications for learners of reflective practice - (Amisha Young)4.A critique of the effectiveness and relevance of the theory in education – (Akida St. Cyr)5.Justification of aspects chosen (Tomasha Connor)6.Summary (Ruiz Thomas)7. References ( All members of the team)

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Description and Overview of Glasser’s Choice Theory

Introduction The choice theory was developed by Dr. William Glasser in the year 1980 The Glasser’s Choice theory is a theory of motivation founded on the idea that the behaviours of human beings are as a result of conscious

choices that individuals make. It posits the idea that the strongest drive for individual behavior is internally controlled as opposed to the popular belief that external variables greatly result or drive behaviors.

His theory is an explanation of human behaviour or simply the “How” and “Why” we behave (Hoglund, 2007). Basic human need constantly fuel these behaviors and can subsequently lead to the development of habits good or bad which ultimately

affects the level of satisfaction or contentment one enjoys in their interpersonal relationships.

These basic human needs are:

1. The need to survive: Food, Shelter, Clothing & Safety2. The need to belong: Feeling accepted , Social Connection and loved by others3. The need to gain power: to achieve, to be competent, skilled and successful4. The need to be free: independence, choices, free to choose what we want to do with our lives5. The need to have fun: pleasure, play and laugh6. Choice Theory states that, with these ever present needs, students and teachers go about the work of living

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Description and Overview of Glasser’s Choice Theory Con’t

In Glasser’s Choice Theory, he highlights Seven Deadly and Seven Connecting Habits.

The Ten Axioms of Choice Theory1.The only person whose behavior we can control is our own.2.All we can give another person is information.3.All long-lasting psychological problems are relationship problems.4.The problem relationship is always part of our present life.5.What happened in the past has everything to do with what we are today, but we can only satisfy our basic needs right now and plan to continue satisfying them in the future.6.We can only satisfy our needs by satisfying the pictures in our Quality World.7.All we do is behave.8.All behavior is Total Behavior and is made up of four components: acting, thinking, feeling and physiology.9.All Total Behavior is chosen, but we only have direct control over the acting and thinking components. We can only control our feeling and physiology indirectly through how we choose to act and think.10.All Total Behavior is designated by verbs and named by the part that is the most recognizable.

Avoid the seven deadly habits in teaching* Criticizing

* Blaming

* Complaining

* Nagging

* Threatening

* Punishing

* Rewarding students to control them

Replace them with the seven connecting habits:

* Caring

* Listening

* Supporting

* Contributing

* Encouraging

* Trusting

* Befriending

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Implications of learners of reflective practice

What is reflective practice?• Reflective practice is understood as the process of learning through and from experience

towards gaining new insights of self and/or practice (Boud et al 1985; Boyd and Fales, 1983; Mezirow, 1981, Jarvis, 1992)” Linda Finlay. Phd, BA(Hons,DipCOT.(January 2008). Reflecting on 'Reflective Practice'.(pg 1).

What does it mean to be a learner of reflective practice?

What is required when engaging in reflective practice?

Photo courtesy - http://www.open.ac.uk/opencetl/files/opencetl/file/ecms/web-content/Finlay-%282008%29-Reflecting-on-reflective-practice-PBPL-paper-52.pdf

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Implications of learners of reflective practice Con’tWhat choice theory teaches that individual?• Choice theory teaches the individual how to be disciplined, control themselves and

how to handle themselves in situations that have no control over.What can we do to satisfy our basic needs?

photo courtesy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZA0zAgOl60

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Implications of learners of reflective practice Con’t1. When a reflective-reflexive practitioner apply those principles to their learning they:

2. They become independent learners.

3. Not easily controlled by anyone or any situation.

4. Realize that cultural practices does not have to affect their behavior.

5. They are able to manage their time wisely.

6. Reflect on their behavior and make adjustments accordingly.

7. Works well with others, considering everyone as their own individual and cannot be controlled.

8. Build and maintain relationships with others.

9. Make intelligent decisions about their learning

10. Able to improve their Quality World picture ( how we want our lives to be)

11. Have the ability to do what is necessary to satisfy their basic needs.

12. Are able to change the doing component of their behavior.

13. Have direct control over thoughts.

photo courtesy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZA0zAgOl60

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A Critique of the effectiveness and relevance of the theory in education

Glasser’s Choice theory postulates that people can control only their own behavior, and that all people need a sense of belonging, freedom, power, survival and fun. In terms of education, the theory’s effectiveness is supposed to be seen mainly within the classrooms themselves. For example, when students enter a classroom, teacher is expected to create a positive environment which is conducive to learning.

In reference to the theory, students should feel that sense of belonging and freedom while still maintaining an extent of power. The teacher is expected to manage the classroom effectively in order to successfully teach the students. Students are motivated to learn what the teacher wants to teach. However, isn’t this contradictory since one’s behavior is supposedly based on choice and not external motivation? This can be proved by a student misbehaving although they are in such an environment.

It’s relevance in today’s educational institutions is more predominant within schools known as Sudbury schools where the Choice theory is truly established. In such schools students of all ages determine what they will do, as well as when, how, and where they will do it. It is truly a matter of their choices/decisions. Sudbury schools are based on the principle that students are personally responsible for their acts, in opposition to virtually all schools today that deny it. Three (3) characteristics demonstrated by schools which apply the Choice theory are that focus is placed on quality, coercion is minimized and self-evaluation is encouraged. In analyzing common schools and their management/administration and applying these key principles, one can infer that the Choice theory is extraneous.

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A Critique of the effectiveness and relevance of the theory in education con’tStrengths Weaknesses

Helps students see a wide range of possible consequences for their behaviour

It is difficult for teachers to help students satisfy their need for control without feeling threatened themselves

Allow students to determine solutions to their own discipline problems.

It is difficult to react properly when communicating with students about their inappropriate behaviours.

Help students understand their needs and legitimate wats of satisfying these needs.

It is difficult to avoid giving responses that encourage students to make excuses for their bad behaviour

Encourage students to take control of their own learning

Students may not have the necessary skills to make plans that will help improve their behaviour

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Justification of Aspects Chosen Description and Overview of the theoryoThis was done to provide the audience with an introduction and general

understanding of the theory.oSullo, B. (2013) Choice Theory teaches that we are always motivated by

what we want at that moment. It emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with others to create a shared vision.

Implications for learners of reflective practice oOur reasoning for choosing to approach the task by first defining the theory

and then showing the implications for reflective learning is to give our audience a clear picture of how mutually dependent and supportive each theory is of the other.

A critique of the effectiveness and relevance of the theory in educationoThe critique is to show the benefits of Glasser’s Choice Theory learning

approach compared to traditional learning methods and why a reflective learner would benefit more from the Choice Theory learning experience.

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SummaryWilliam Glasser’s Choice Theory provides an explanation of motivation which is markedly

different from what many of us have been taught. The following is taken from The School for Quality Learning: Managing the School and Classroom the Deming Way by Donna K.Crawford,Richard Bodine,& Robert Hoglund, pp. 45 - 50:

William Glasser’s Choice Theory is based on the assumption that all behaviour represents the individual's constant attempt to satisfy one or more of five basic inborn needs. In other words, no behaviour is caused by any situation or person outside of the individual.

Glasser (1984) holds that we are essentially biological beings, and the fact that we follow some of our genetic instructions psychologically rather than physically makes neither the instructions less urgent nor the source less biological.

A central aspect of Choice Theory is the belief that we are internally, not externally motivated. While other theories suggest that outside events "cause" us to behave in certain predictable ways, Choice Theory teaches that outside events never "make" us to do anything.

Another major concept in Choice Theory is the notion that we always have some choice about how to behave. This does not mean that we have unlimited choice or that outside information is irrelevant as we choose how to behave. It means that we have more control than some people might believe and that we are responsible for the choices we make.

In closing when people learn to apply the principles of William Glasser’s Choice Theory, they are taught how to consciously self-evaluate so that the behaviours they choose have the best chance of helping them achieve what they want in ways that are responsible.

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ReferencesFidaaryana (2012) Choice Theory Basic Needs. Retrieved on November 9, 2015 from http://www.brucedavenport.com/basic-needs.html

Glasser, W. (1998). Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom. Retrieved on November 9, 2015 from http://www.choicetheory.com/ct.htmFinlay, L. Phd, BA (Hons, DipCOT.(2008). Reflecting on 'Reflective Practice Retrieved on November 12, 2015 from Website http://www.open.ac.uk/opencetl/files/opencetl/file/ecms/web%C2%ADcontent/Finlay%C2%AD%282008%29%C2%ADReflecting%C2%ADon%C2%ADreflective%C2%ADpractice%C2%ADPBPL%C2%ADpaper%C2%AD52.pdf

Nguyen, O.(2004, February, 6). Glasser choice theory. Retrieved on November 12, 2015 from Website https://www.youtube.com/watch?8Models (2010) Choice. Reality Theraphy & Choice Theory - Glasser . Retrieved on November 13, 2015 from website http://8models.wikispaces.com/Reality+Therapy+%26+Choice+Theory+-+Glasser

Sullo, B. (2013). The inspiring teacher. New Jersey: Funderstanding LLC.

The William Glasser Institute. (2010).The Glasser Approach. http://www.wglasser.com/the-glasser-approach/choice-theory