Engineering Attention: Some Rules for the Classroom

Key Points

• The aim is to identify how attention can be engineered in the classroom to enhance learning outcomes for children.
• Basic research on discrimination learning with children focused on variables influencing attention such as reinforcement and stimulus display.
• Development of specific rules for educators to apply in classroom settings.
• Examined learning rates of retarded and normal children when paying attention to relevant aspects of problems.
• When focused on relevant aspects, retarded children learn at rates comparable to normal children.
• Attention is significantly affected by reinforcement strategies and the design of stimulus displays.
• Specific rules for engaging attention in classroom settings were proposed based on the findings.