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Group Management - Time on Task


Musical Clocklight
(Program for Academic Survival Skills)
R.P. West, K.R. Young, K Callahan, S. Fister, K. Kemp, J. Freston, T.C. Lovitt


Technique: Encouraging positive classroom behavior with group reinforcement

When all students in the classroom are following the rules a mechanical devise with a green light, clock for adding minutes and music are activated. While the entire group of students is on task the mechanism functions. When there is a breakdown in student compliance, the clocklight is turn off.

Procedures: 

  1. Establish and post classroom rules
  2. Each day establish and post reward criteria
  3. Determine and post class goals and most current performance
  4. Teacher scans the classroom
    1. If rules are followed, start the clocklight and deliver praise

    2. At completion of day, reward for meeting daily goals.

    3. If rules are being violated by one or more students, stop

    4. clocklight and conduct corrective teaching, then scan and watch for positive behavior. When it occurs, start clocklight. 


Components: Clocklight devise and remote control, One day training session for teacher, Instructive Praise, Corrective teaching, Goal setting which outlines percentage of time students are to be in compliance, Data collection of time accrued on the musical clocklight, Fading when classroom meets 80% goal.

Strengths

    Provides expectations and goals for behavior
    Includes instructive praise and corrective teaching
    Assists students to monitor behaviors
    Devise for showing pleasure in behavior is simple and ongoing
    Remote control frees teacher
Mickey Mouse graphic

Rebounds

One student can cause the entire group to suffer and one student has a great deal of control over time spent in correction.


Teacher is the evaluator and students need not fully engage in self monitoring.


May encourage group anger directed at one student or group.

Uncertain if gains are maintained beyond immediate reinforcement.


From West, R.P., Young, K./R., Callahan, K., Fister, S. Kemp, K., Freston, J, & Lovitt, T.C. (1995). The Musical clocklight: Encouraging positive classroom behavior. Teaching Exceptional Children, Winter, 46-51.

 

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E-mail J'Anne Ellsworth at Janne.Ellsworth@nau.edu

Course Created by J'Anne Ellsworth & Center for Technology Enhanced Learning

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