Effects of Student Response Systems on Participation and Learning of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

This study investigated the use of a student response system (SRS) on the participation, classroom behavior, and academic achievement of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). The purpose of this research was to determine if using an SRS, in place of typical classroom methods of student response, would generate increases in participation in students who characteristically display low levels of class involvement. Participants included 5 high school students receiving academic instruction predominately in a self-contained setting for students with EBD. Subjects chosen for participation were identified as frequently being off task and distracted during class and as having generally low response and participation rates during class sessions. A single-subject, ABABC design was used to determine a functional relationship between the SRS and student response and engagement. Results indicate a strong association between SRS use and increased student response; however, a clear link to increased task engagement was not evident.