behaviorist learning theory and powerpoint

Behavioral Learning in Healthcare Settings
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Behavioral Learning in Healthcare Settings
Learning is defined as the permanent change in mental processing, cognitive functioning and behavioral responses that result from individual experiences. The process of learning is a lifelong event, which leads to the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Learning helps individuals to adapt to the changes in their immediate or distant environment. Such adaptation alters the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and deliverables of an individual. Learning is an essential attribute for all healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals should respond and adapt to different changes in their professional settings. Such behaviors are highly mandated for ensuring positive health outcome in patients. Different types of learning are evident in organizational settings (Halpern, 2001).
Behavioral learning is a type of learning, which develops as a product of stimulus applied and the concerted response towards such stimuli. This model is referred as stimulus-response model (S-R) model. S-R model is essential for understanding the professional needs of healthcare professionals and also the clinical needs of a healthcare consumer. Behavioral learning is based on Pavlovian and operant conditioning. Pavlovian conditioning implicates that type of stimulus influences the response of an individual. In this model, a neutral stimulus is often paired with an unconditional stimulus or unconditional response (UCS or UCR).

However, after few such pairings, the neutral stimulus could elicit the same UCR (without being coupled to UCS). Learning is ensured when the new conditioned stimulus (neutral stimulus) becomes associated with the new conditioned response (CR). The theory emphasizes that healthcare professionals or healthcare consumers could be conditioned for or against certain stimuli. Pavlovian or Respondent conditioning significantly reduces the apprehensions of nausea or vomiting (which are strongly associated with chemotherapy). On the other hand, systematic desensitization is useful in managing individuals suffering from substance abuse (Bush, 2006).
Operant conditioning emphasizes in reinforcing the response of an individual (after being exposed to a specific stimulus). Such reinforcements might be either positive or negative. Negative reinforcement is essential for discouraging nonproductive behaviors and actions. On the other hand, positive reinforcement acts a stimulus of motivation. Positive reinforcement helps to increase the productivity of an individual. Hence, positive and negative reinforcements are equally important in the healthcare industry. This implicates that productive behavior is always encouraged and nonproductive behavior should be strongly discouraged. These principles are essential for managing human resources in the healthcare industry and for ensuring positive health outcomes in patients (Halpern 2001, Bush, 2006). Moreover, reflection-on-action and reflection-in-action are guided by the theoretical framework of behavioral learning. Hence, behavioral learning is essential for ensuring safe and quality healthcare in patients.
Best Practices for PowerPoint Presentation
PowerPoint Presentation is an effective tool for ensuring appropriate communication and learning. However, the effectiveness of a PowerPoint Presentation depends on upon the content and approach of presentation. Certain best practices help to increase the effectiveness of a PowerPoint Presentation. First of all, the content of the presentation should be pertinent for the target audience. The approach of presentation should be simple and crisp. As far as practicable, unnecessary content and jargons should be avoided. Complex content and jargons could be stressful for the target audience. The content of the communication should be easily perceivable by the target audience. The “6*7” rule should be strictly followed while preparing a PowerPoint presentation. The rule emphasizes that there should not be more than six bullet points per slide. Moreover, each bullet point should not contain more than seven words. Speaker notes should be included if the presentation is too technical or scientific. The speaker notes would help to expand the content of the slides. The pointer should be used appropriately and judiciously by the presenter/speaker. The pointer should be focused at the start of a bullet point. The pointer should not sweep the bullet/s or the entire slide. Such issues might jeopardize the interest of the target audience. This is because the core philosophy of a PowerPoint presentation is to highlight the communication or findings of a speaker. PowerPoint presentations should not provide an impression of teaching. Moreover, the content of the slides should be presented in speakers verbatim. The content of the slides should be paraphrased. Another best practice for an effective presentation is to maintain eye contact with the target audience. Eye contact helps to provide feedback to the presenter regarding the flow of the presentation. Finally, the PowerPoint presentation should comply with the specified time limits.
References
Bush, G. (2006). Learning about learning: From theories to trends. Teacher Librarian, 34, 14–
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Halpern, J. (2001). From detached concern to empathy: Humanizing medical practice. New
York: Oxford University Press