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Learning Theory Series Telecourse Approved for 9 CEUs through CCPDT and IAABC Hi Sue Kirsten Rose, CPDT-KA Raising Canine telecourses take place over the telephone! All you have to do is have access to the phone. Sometimes, a computer helps, but it’s never necessary! This course has been designed for maximum flexibility. Each session is held twice - once on Sunday morning and once on Thursday evening. Session 1 This telecourse WILL NOT be recorded or available as an audio telecourse. It will be repeated in the spring of 2012. I am preparing for the CPDT and this course was awesome – a great overview of all the terms and acronyms and types of learning. The more I hear these terms and get examples of them, the better. Your course also helped me identify and process what my mentor is saying to me. Susan, you explained things in the most simple manner. And hearing them from you makes them all sound so easy. You did a great job of using language I am using at my level. You made the course very personal and intimate. I felt like I had met you and the other participants in person. For sure I will recommend this class – especially if sitting for the CPDT. Also, great refresher course (that you don’t have to travel to) for those needing CEUs. Prairie Lee Session 1: Science In this session, we’ll talk about why science is important; what it is and what it isn’t. We’ll also discuss the reasons for, and the importance of, a common language. We’ll discuss evolution and nature vs. nature and exactly what learning means. Finally, we’ll discuss the Humane Hierarchy as adopted by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. All of these concepts are important to understanding the learning concepts that come next. Session 2: ABCs In session 2, we’ll discuss the operant learning quadrant and the ABCs (antecedent, behavior and consequence) – the smallest unit of behavior that we, as behavior consultants, can measure. We’ll discuss why this concept is so important to really being effective at modifying behavior and how you can create an effective behavior modification plan by using a functional assessment format. We’ll also discuss the stages of learning. By understanding the different stages, we are better able to train to a higher level of fluency. Finally, we’ll discuss the client’s role in behavior modification. Clients are, by far, the biggest frustration trainers have. As consultants, we need to understand the issues that clients are facing, how we can help them, and why it often appears that they are sabotaging our efforts. Session 3: Respondent Learning – Respondent (or classical) learning may be the most difficult concept to wrap your brain around. However, once you understand respondent learning, it can become one of the most powerful tools in your toolbox. Respondent learning is always happening – if you are learning, you are acquiring knowledge through respondent learning. Once we understand it, we are able to harness it and use it to our advantage. Within respondent learning lies many of the unforeseen problems that often crop up when using operant learning techniques – such as overshadowing and blocking! Session 4: Operant Learning – We basically acquire new knowledge through one of two processes – respondent learning or operant learning. Both of these processes are crucial to our business. Respondent learning is extremely powerful and useful; however, operant learning is our bread and butter. Most clients are expecting us to use some form of operant learning when they hire us. And, unlike respondent learning, operant learning is very easy to understand and use. However there are many subtleties to operant learning, and understanding these concepts is necessary to be a good trainer. We’ll devote this session to understanding the operant learning, reinforcement and chaining. Session 5: Operant Learning cont’d – Extinction holds a unique place in learning theory – some argue that it is actually punishment because it reduces behavior, but others say it does not belong within the quadrant. We’ll explore this intriguing concept a little further. Along with extinction go extinction bursts and resurgence. These concepts are absolutely crucial to effectively reducing the frequency of behavior. We’ll also discuss primary and secondary reinforcers, which are a continuation of (and require an understanding of) both respondent and operant conditioning. Within this topic we’ll discuss higher order learning and shaping, and why these concepts are useful to trainers. Finally we’ll discuss punishment, which is such an important and prevalent concept in animal training. Owners attempt to use punishment regularly; unfortunately, because they are not schooled in learning concepts, they are generally not punishing their pet, but abusing it. Punishment certainly has a role to play in behavior modification, but it is very important to understand exactly what it is and how to use it. We’ll also re-visit the humane hierarchy during this session, because the hierarchy can inform us as to when we should bring in punishment. Finally, we’ll look at how we can use the ABCs to determine the best approach to resolving problem behaviors. Session 6: Reinforcement schedules This seems like a contradictory statement – reinforcement, by definition, cannot reduce behavior. Or can it? We’ll discuss ways to use positive reinforcement to address unwanted behavior. We’ll also discuss how using respondent conditioning can be such a quick and powerful took for changing emotional behaviors such as aggression and anxiety. A good understanding of these techniques can go a long way to resolving behavior problems in an extremely productive way. You get all this for only $120.00!
Contact Raising Canine 512-916-4007
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