The “least intrusive intervention” strategy for behavior change procedures: The use of public and private feedback in school classrooms

Many classroom behavior modification procedures have failed to be adopted by practicing classroom teachers because the procedures are overly intrusive into the regular classroom routine. A strategy for teachers and consultants which moves from less to more intrusive interventions is described and demonstrated with a case example. Private feedback was ineffective in reducing a child's inappropriate behavior, but the introduction of public feedback resulted in a decrease in inappropriate behavior to below the class average. Attitudinal measures of the teacher's evaluation of the child and his selfevaluation were related to the child's behavior during the public feedback procedure.     

COMPARING METHODS OF IDENTIFYING REINFORCING STIMULI IN SCHOOL CONSULTATION

Reinforcement-based interventions, the most frequently used treatments for school-age children, rely on accurately identifying stimuli that will serve to reinforce appropriate classroom behavior. Research has consistently demonstrated that the results from a forced-choice pairing procedure are the best predictors of reinforcing stimuli. Interestingly, systematic evaluation of potential reinforcers is rarely implemented in the school consultation setting. Considering the importance of the reinforcer on reinforcement-based interventions, and the literature focusing on the significance of the selection procedure on accurately identifying a reinforcer, this is concerning. The purpose of these two studies was to examine the effectiveness of identifying reinforcing stimuli for students in the consultation setting using two different methods: stimulus forced-choice and asking the teacher to identify potential reinforcers. The effectiveness of the selected stimuli as reinforcers was studied on two student outcomes: academic production and on-task behavior. The results of the two studies suggested that the reinforcers selected using a forced-choice procedure were more effective than the reinforcers selected from a teacher-identification procedure. Further, results indicated that although stimuli derived from both reinforcer assessment methods were useful at increasing rates of desired behavior, stimuli derived from the forced-choice reinforcer assessment were more consistently effective.     

Social Outcomes Associated With Media Viewing Habits of Low-Income Preschool Children

Research Findings: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between preschool children's social outcomes in the classroom (including hyperactivity, aggression, and social skills) and their media viewing habits (including the amount of television they watch and whether they watch videos/movies that are rated as inappropriate for young children). The participants were 92 low-income pre-kindergarten-age children for whom we obtained parent reports of media viewing habits and teacher reports of classroom behavior. The results suggested that viewing of inappropriate content was associated with higher hyperactivity and aggression scores and a lower social skills rating, whereas the amount of viewing was not related to these classroom outcomes. Policy: There has been a great deal of focus on how both the amount and content of television viewed affects social development in middle and later childhood. These studies have helped influence the development of guidelines for parents of young children to limit media viewing. The findings from the present study suggest that school personnel and others should monitor the content of what preschoolers are watching and should educate parents about the potential impact of media viewing on children's classroom behavior.     

Decreasing “obscene” language of behaviorally disordered children through the use of a DRL schedule

The purpose of the present study was to determine the value of DRL schedules in reducing the behavior of a group of behaviorally disordered children. During the DRL procedure, reinforcement was made available for inappropriate language that was less than a prescribed limit for each day. When the DRL limit was successively decreased across weeks, the behavior of the students systematically decreased. Data indicated that reinforcing low rates of behavior may be an effective alternative to the use of aversive contingencies to reduce the misbehavior of such children.     

The effects of initial interval size on the efficacy of DRO schedules of reinforcement

The differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) is a behavior-reduction procedure that has been popular for several years. In classroom settings, it provides reinforcement when a student does not display inappropriate responding for a particular interval of time. Unfortunately, relatively little is known about how to use DRO effectively in applied settings. Most research has been conducted in laboratory settings; the purpose of the present study was to provide a replication of one of those studies. This study examined the effect of the size of the initial DRO interval on the disruptive behavior of students with moderate disabilities. In the first experiment, a group of six students was observed during baseline in two classes. Two different DRO values were then used. In one classroom, it was equal to the mean number of 10-second intervals between disruptions during baseline. In the other classroom, it was twice the mean number during baseline. In the final phase, behavior in both classrooms was put under the same DRO program. In the second experiment, the disruptive behavior of three students was studied in a different design in which both methods of determining the initial DRO value were compared. The results of both experiments showed that an initial DRO value equal to the mean number of intervals between responses in baseline was much more effective than a value twice that size in reducing disruptions.     

Demography of Problem Behavior in Elementary Schools

The complex mix of systematic and unsystematic discipline that characterizes most schools creates heightened potential for variation and violation in school and classroom behavior. The challenge of maintaining order intensifies with teachers' concerns about the growing inclusion of students with emotional and behavioral problems in general education classrooms and the general levels of diversity common in America's schools. Little is known about the demography (i.e., who, what, where, when, how) of behavior requiring attention from administrators and other professionals in elementary schools. The need for comprehensive and continuous monitoring of what goes on in schools within the context of increasing appropriate behavior and reducing inappropriate behavior is clear. In this research, we investigated the extent of variation in problem behavior at the school and classroom level. We evaluated office referrals, reasons for removing students from the classroom for discipline, and consistency of reasons for office referrals in schools using different recording systems. Rates of referral differed greatly among teachers within schools and a small group of students accounted for most of the documented behavior problems. The results have implications for efforts to improve academic and behavior instruction in elementary classrooms, which we discuss.     

Using a whole‐class token economy and coaching of teacher skills in a preschool classroom to manage disruptive behavior

The Level System is a whole‐classroom approach for managing disruptive behavior that utilizes behavioral management strategies such as a token economy, response cost, stimulating rewards, and strategic attention. Using an ABACC′ treatment comparison design with follow‐up, this study evaluated the effectiveness of the Level System in a preschool classroom compared to (a) strategies already employed by the teacher, and (b) coaching the teacher in the Child‐Directed Interaction (CDI) and Parent‐Directed Interaction (PDI) phases of Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Teacher‐ and parent‐report measures were administered, and behavioral observation data were collected for child and teacher behavior using videotapes. Results suggested that the amount of inappropriate behavior exhibited by children decreased when the Level System was implemented. Additionally, inappropriate behavior decreased further during the CDI and PDI conditions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 351–361, 2004.     

Double-edged sword: social media use in the classroom

The purpose of this research is to identify the students’ perceptions of social media use in a classroom setting. Knowing students’ perceptions of social media can help the instructor build a course that both student and teacher can find effective. Using focus groups this study found a model to determine if social media is an appropriate or inappropriate tool to incorporate into the classroom. The findings showed that social media can be a double-edged sword. Students are willing to accept social media use for class purposes under circumstances they perceive as appropriate. Students deem social media use as appropriate if it can be used without providing personal information, is the most effective tool available, can be engaged in voluntarily, is used for the purpose of announcements, and is perceived by the students as a convenience.     

Classroom Age Composition and Vocabulary Development Among At-Risk Preschoolers

Research Findings: The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between classroom age composition and preschoolers’ vocabulary gains over an academic year and also to examine whether these relations were moderated by classroom quality. In this study (N = 130 children in 16 classrooms representing a subset of all children enrolled in these classrooms), results showed a significant cross-level interaction between classroom age composition and children's age, suggesting positive effects of greater variance in classroom age composition for younger but not older children. The interaction between behavior management (1 dimension of classroom quality) and classroom age composition was also significant, indicating that a wider distribution of classroom age composition was positively related to children's vocabulary gains within classrooms characterized by better behavior management. Practice or Policy: Findings underscore the importance of children's social interactions with more knowledgeable conversational partners in promoting their vocabulary development and signify the need to help teachers learn how to manage children's behaviors so as to provide a classroom that is optimal for child learning.     

Promoting effective helping behavior in peer-directed groups

Collaborative peer learning environments have received increasing attention in classrooms due to the potential for improving learning and achievement. Yet previous research shows that not all students benefit from the collaborative experience. This paper explores the nature of helping behavior within peer-directed small groups that may be most effective for learning, especially for students who have difficulty with the material. Drawing on examples from recent research on student learning in collaborative mathematics classrooms in a US middle school, we identify student behaviors that are necessary for effective help seeking and help giving, as well as responsibilities of teachers in establishing classroom conditions that bring about effective helping behavior. The findings show that effective help seekers ask precise questions, persist in seeking help, and apply the explanations received; effective help givers provide detailed explanations of the material as well as opportunities for help recipients to apply the help received, and monitor student understanding. These critical helping behaviors reflect the constructivist views embodied in Piagetian and Vygotskian perspectives on learning in social contexts.     

基于项目式教学的高职课程改革——以高职继电控制系统的运行与维护课程为例

继电控制系统的运行与维护是高职院校电气自动化专业的职业技能基础课程,在专业知识体系中起到承上启下的作用。传统的课堂教学偏重理论知识的教学,轻视实践能力的培养,这与高职教育培养技能型人才的培养理念不相符。为改变现状,提出了一种基于项目式的教学方法,本着＂工学结合、项目引导、任务驱动、学做一体化＂的原则,将职业行动领域的工作过程融合在项目训练中,理论与实践相结合,达到教学的最优目的。     

Increasing appropriate classroom behaviour and academic performance by reinforcing correct work alone

The present study examined indirect effects of modifying appropriate classroom behaviour by itself and academic performance by itself. Of particular interest were changes in appropriate behaviour as students were reinforced for correct work. Five disruptive boys were given arithmetic assignments during daily 20-minute experimental sessions. Changes in appropriate behaviour and arithmetic performance were measured during the following phases: (a) an initial baseline phase; (b) reinforcement for appropriate behaviour alone; (c) return to baseline; (d) reinforcement for correct arithmetic work. It was found that reinforcing appropriate behaviour increased that behaviour, but produced little improvement in arithmetic performance. However, reinforcing arithmetic performance not only increased correct work, but resulted in a high rate of appropriate behaviour as well. The implications of these findings for the management of classroom behaviours were discussed.     

Predictors of the developmental appropriateness of the beliefs and practices of first,second, and third grade teachers

This study identified classroom characteristics and teacher characteristics that were related to the self-reported beliefs and classroom practices of first, second, and third grade teachers. Teachers (n = 277) representing 77% of the potential subjects completed and returned The Primary Teacher's Beliefs and Practices Survey, a measure based on the developmentally appropriate standards advocated by NAEYC. Factor analyses of the survey supported the use of four proposed subscales: developmentally appropriate beliefs, developmentally appropriate activities, developmentally inappropriate beliefs, and developmentally inappropriate activities. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that classroom characteristics (class size, grade level, number of children with disabilities, and number of children on free or reduced lunch) and teacher characteristics (perceived relative influence and area of certification) predicted teacher beliefs and practices. After controlling for the classroom variables, teacher characteristics added significantly to the prediction of developmentally inappropriate activities.     

Self‐Management and Peer‐Monitoring within a group contingency to decrease uncontrolled verbalizations of children with Attention‐Deficit/hyperactivity disorder

This study examines the efficacy of an intervention designed to improve the classroom behavior of children identified with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The intervention entailed training a class of third‐grade students, including four students diagnosed with ADHD, to use self‐management and peer‐monitoring strategies embedded within a group contingency to decrease inappropriate verbalizations during class time. Findings indicated that the self‐monitoring/group contingency intervention substantially decreased inappropriate talking‐out behavior in all four subjects along with their matched controls. Implications as well as limitations within the study are discussed. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Interpersonal strategies of unpopular children: Some implications for social skills training

Reciprocity is regarded as an important process in social skills training programs. This paper argues that establishing the purpose of the observed inappropriate social behavior could help in understanding the dynamics of reciprocal relationships. It explores the proposition that inappropriate behavior often can occur because an unpopular child adopts an interpersonal strategy in order to cope with rejection by others. Studies are reviewed that suggest that differential deficiencies in social skills are associated with the type of strategy adopted–avoidant or approach.     

Removal of positive reinforcement to alter learning disabled adolescents' preacademic problems

One reversal and two multiple baseline designs were used to assess the effects of punishment on the disruptive behavior of six adolescent learning disability students. Students were selected for this study because their inappropriate preacademic behavior was reported to be interfering with individual instruction and total classroom management. During baseline conditions of praise and ignore contingencies, the frequency of inappropriate preacademic behavior was assessed. With the institution of punishment procedures (after-class minutes, token removals, token removals from group) the frequency of inappropriate behavior declined. Teachers were advised at the end of the study to reinstitute praise and ignore contingencies, with intermittent use of punishment.     

Teacher attention and classroom behaviour1 1

The incidence of appropriate and inappropriate classroom behaviour was observed in ten children classified by their teacher as the worst behaved (WB) in the class and 10 children classified as the best behaved (BB). Teacher positive and negative responses to the WB and BB groups were also observed. The main finding was that the teacher responded at a higher rate to the inappropriate behaviour of the WB group than the BB group. This is not at variance with the notion that teacher attention serves to maintain high rates of inappropriate classroom behaviour. Unexpectedly, the teacher did not respond with positive attention at a higher rate to the appropriate behaviour of the BB than the WB group. That is, contrary to the theory that teacher attention is a major controller of classroom behaviour, there was no evidence in this study that high rates of appropriate behaviour are maintained by teacher attention.

     

Using a random dependent group contingency to increase on‐task behaviors of high school students with high incidence disabilities

Group contingencies have the advantages of encouraging individual students to collectively feel responsible for appropriate and inappropriate classroom behaviors and have shown effectiveness in improving students' behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a random dependent group contingency on the on‐task behaviors of six high school students with high incidence disabilities in a resource classroom. The study used an ABAB reversal design, and the results of the study indicated that the random dependent group contingency intervention was positively associated with increases in on‐task behaviors for three of the six participants. Limitations and implications are discussed in relation to dependent group contingencies for high school students. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

自我管理技能训练对于减少课堂中不恰当提问行为的效应

在课堂上自我克制，控制不适当的提问，是每个儿童都要做到的，但是有些儿童缺乏自制力，分辨不出什么场合该提问，什么场合不该提。一般认为如果受到适当的训练，这种不适当的行为是会减少的，这项研究的目的就是要调查自制训练对这种不适当行为的作用，本研究采用了个案设计，具体步骤包括：确定行为定义，分析行为作用，选择适当增强物，进行行为干预，研究结果表明，采用自我记录的方法会大大减少不适当或过多的提问，文章还对如何延续和扩展经过干预后的行为进行了讨论。