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Learning with dolphins

Watch and learn: Students of Saltus Grammar School SGY1 Advanced Placement Psychology course visited DolphinQuest to get an insight into the practical applications of classical and operant conditioning in dolphin training.

Dolphins taught students a thing or two when a Psychology class from Saltus Grammar School showed up at Dolphin Quest in Dockyard.Secondary Science teacher, Ms Kelly Reeves, took her SGY1 Advanced Placement Psychology students by ferry to Dolphin Quest in March to see the practical applications of classical and operant conditioning in dolphin training.Before heading to Dockyard, students had a review lesson during which they were instructed to look for certain learning techniques. Upon arriving at Dolphin Quest, the class reviewed their findings with Brinna Robertson-More, the class teacher there, who was impressed with their knowledge. Students then went on to use hand signals and other techniques to instruct the dolphins to perform various actions.Of the day’s outing, Miles Cave noted: “My psychology class went on a field trip to Dolphin Quest to learn about the different types of learning that humans can use to train different animals such as dolphins. Upon arriving in Dockyard, we had a quick bite to eat then learned about what the staff at Dolphin Quest do to get the dolphins to learn the tricks, such as shaping, using target poles and classical conditioning.“My favourite part of the trip was getting to see the dolphins up close, feeding them fish and seeing them do some tricks!”