Enhancing Math On-Task Behavior

At the recent Mid-South Regional Conference for Psychology in the Schools, Jade Bennett (pictured), Gini McClurg, and Jessica Eshbaugh, students from the School Psychology and Special Education doctoral programs, presented on a study that examined the use of reinforcement to enhance math on-task behavior.

Students’ on-task behavior during math instruction improved from 50% to 80%through the use of rewards (pre-selected reinforcers) that were randomly chosen and shared by all the students when randomly selected students’ (by desk row) on-task behavior met pre-determined levels of performance. It sounds complicated; but it can easily be implemented in an elementary or middle school classroom.

Other results and implications, as well as explanations of the procedures, are outlined in the linked poster. For other information about the study please contact either Jade Bennett (jestes12@vols.utk.edu) or her faculty advisor, Dr. Chris Skinner (cskinne1@utk.edu), or Dr. Tara Moore (tara.moore@utk.edu).

Here is a link to their poster:

MidSouth Poster –  Bennett, J., McClurg, V., Eshbaugh, J., Skinner, C., & Moore, T. (2018, October). Enhancing math on-task behavior: Contextual validity analysis suggests avoiding the lights and buzzers. Poster presented at the Mid-South Regional Conference for Psychology in the Schools, Huntsville, AL.