Final answer:
The best example of positive reinforcement is giving students bonus points for participating in class discussions, as this adds a desirable stimulus (bonus points) to increase the desired behavior (participation).
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which action best illustrates a teacher's use of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement involves adding a stimulus to increase a desired behavior. Of the options provided, Giving students bonus points for participating in a class discussion is the best example of positive reinforcement because it involves adding something desirable (bonus points) to increase a behavior (participation in class).
Behavior modification through the use of reinforcement rather than punishment is widely adopted in educational practices. Rather than using punishment techniques that may elicit fear or aggression, rewarding desired behaviors with something that the students value can incentivize and encourage repetition of those behaviors.
For instance, as an example of this principle in everyday life, a child might be rewarded for putting away toys or doing homework with verbal praise, a story at bedtime, or other forms of positive feedback. This increases the likelihood that the child will repeat these behaviors in the future.