teaching machine

an instrument that (a) automatically presents programmed material to the learner, (b) provides an opportunity to check understanding at each step through problems or questions, and (c) provides feedback as to whether the response is right or wrong. One equivalent of the teaching machine is programmed instruction, which B. F. Skinner advocated. The modern-day equivalent of teaching machines is the personal computer, which is widely accepted as a supplement for teaching complex tasks, concepts, or skills, in addition to specific content areas. See branching.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

valence–instrumentality–expectancy theory

a theory of work motivation holding that the level of effort exerted by employees will depend on a combination of three variables: (a) the expectancy of employees that effort will lead to success in the job, (b) the belief of employees that success will lead to particular outcomes (see instrumentality theory), and (c) the value of these outcomes (see valence). A numerical value can be obtained for variable (a) using the subjective probability estimates of employees, for variable (b) by measuring the correlation of performance to rewards, and for variable (c) by asking employees to rate the desirability of the rewards. The motivational force, or the amount of effort employees will exert, can then be calculated. See also path–goal theory of leadership; Porter–Lawler model of motivation. [proposed in 1964 by Canadian organizational psychologist Victor H. Vroom (1932– )]