Clicker training in the classroom

[MagicalMom]

Can someone please explain to me what this is? It was brought to my attention this evening that one of the teachers at my child's school is using a dog clicker in the classroom. I don't have a dog & am not really sure how this works. How is something like this used in the classroom. I understand that it makes a clicking noise, but how do teachers use this. Is it common? I've never heard of this practice. Many parents are very upset but I want to know a bit more about it before I just flip out. If anyone is familiar with clicker training in a classroom, please let me know.

 

[Nik's Mom]

My ds is autistic. I know clickers are used for some autistic children to get their attention when they "zone out". Is that teacher in a special ed class?

 

[MagicalMom]

Yep, it is a special ed class. So this is something normal? That's a relief.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Yes. My guess is that there may be an autistic child in the class. Sometimes the clicker is used to get their attention. I know it must look strange, but it really does work wonders for some children.

 

[MnParrothead]

I am taking an introductory psychology course at a local college and our professor uses the clicker to train her horse but she also discussed the use of it in special ed classes also.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement. I think it was first used with Dolphins, I've also heard of it being used with athletes.

 

[Disney-Kim]

ever heard of Pavlov's dogs...

 

[Connieh]

In grade school the Nuns would use a clicker to get the class to kneel down in unison.......

To this day when I hear a clicker I start to genuflect, the horror!

Connie

 

[MagicalMom]

Thanks for the replies everyone. This is a special reading class, the children are taken from their regular class room during reading period & work together. There are no autistic children in the class but probably several ADHD students. From what I understand the teacher is using the clicker to get the children to read outloud in the classroom. I was just having frightening mental images of them sitting there being clicked at all day.