A comparison of interteaching and lecture in the college classroom

Interteaching is a new method of classroom instruction that is based on behavioral principles but offers more flexibility than other behaviorally based methods. We examined the effectiveness of interteaching relative to a traditional form of classroom instruction-the lecture. In Study 1, participants in a graduate course in special education took short quizzes after alternating conditions of interteaching and lecture. Quiz scores following interteaching were higher than quiz scores following lecture, although both methods improved performance relative to pretest measures. In Study 2, we also alternated interteaching and lecture but counterbalanced the conditions across two sections of an undergraduate research methods class. After each unit of information, participants from both sections took the same test. Again, test scores following interteaching were higher than test scores following lecture. In addition, students correctly answered more interteaching-based questions than lecture-based questions on a cumulative final test. In both studies, the majority of students reported a preference for interteaching relative to traditional lecture. In sum, the results suggest that interteaching may be an effective alternative to traditional lecture-based methods of instruction.     

Interteaching: the impact of lectures on student performance

Several studies suggest that interteaching improves student learning more than traditional lectures, but few have examined which components of interteaching contribute to its efficacy. We examined whether the lecture component of interteaching affected students' exam grades and cumulative point totals in a research methods course. Although students who received lectures had consistently higher exam scores than students who did not, the differences were statistically significant on only 2 of 5 exams. Students who received lectures, however, earned significantly more points during the semester.     

INTERTEACHING: THE EFFECTS OF QUALITY POINTS ON EXAM SCORES

Although previous studies have found interteaching to be an effective alternative to traditional methods of instruction, few studies have examined which of its components contribute to its effectiveness. In the current study, we examined whether manipulating quality points had an effect on our students' exam scores. In two sections of an undergraduate general psychology course, we used interteaching but alternated between quality points and no quality points several times throughout the semester; we also counterbalanced the order of presentation across sections. We found that quality points did not have an effect on exam scores.     

Evaluation of a Web-based introductory psychology course: I. Learning and satisfaction in on-line versus lecture courses

We offered introductory psychology on the World-Wide Web (WWW) and evaluated the on-line format relative to the traditional lecture-test format, using a pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design. Multiple sections of the introductory course were offered each semester; on-line and lecture sections were taught by the same instructor, the same textbook was used, and the same in-class examinations were taken. For on-line sections, mastery quizzes, interactive individual exercises, and weekly laboratory meetings replaced lectures. Increased content knowledge was greater for the students in the Web sections, as was in-class examination performance. Use of the WWW and computers for academic purposes increased more in the on-line sections, and the on-line students showed a greater decrease in computer anxiety. The students in the on-line sections expressed appreciation for course components and the convenience of the course, but the lecture sections received higher ratings on course evaluations than did the on-line sections. Learning and course satisfaction were dissociated in the two course formats.     

Goal-setting in diabetes self-management: A systematic review and meta-analysis examining content and effectiveness of goal-setting interventions

Background: Goal-setting is recommended and widely used within diabetes self-management programmes. However, empirical evidence around its effectiveness lacks clarity. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of goal-setting interventions on diabetes outcomes and to determine which behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are frequently used within these interventions.

Methods: A systematic search identified 14 studies, describing 12 interventions targeting diabetic-control which incorporated goal-setting as the main intervention strategy. Study characteristics, outcome measures and effect sizes of the included studies were extracted and checked by two authors. The BCT taxonomy v1 was used to identify intervention content. Meta-analyses were conducted to assess intervention effects on the primary outcome of average blood glucose levels (HbA1c) and on body-weight. Psycho-social and behavioural outcomes were summarised in narrative syntheses.

Results: Significant post-intervention improvements in HbA1C were found (?.22, 95% CI, ?.40, ?.04) across studies. No other main effects were identified. The BCT ‘goal-setting (behaviour)’ was most frequently implemented and was identified in 84% of the interventions.

Conclusions: Goal-setting interventions appear to be associated with reduced HbA1C levels. However, the low numbers of studies identified and the risk biases across studies suggest more research is needed to further explore goal-setting BCTs in diabetes self-management.     

Satisfaction with HyFlex Teaching and Law-abiding Leadership Education in Hong Kong University Students Under COVID-19

Since the early days of COVID-19, university teaching has changed from face-to-face format to online mode. With the gradual containment of the pandemic, there is no need for school lockdown. As a result, the teaching format has changed to HyFlex mode integrating both face-to-face and online modes. Obviously, it is necessary to understand the academic quality of life among students under the Hyflex teaching mode. In this paper, we report an evaluation study on a leadership subject in Hong Kong delivered via HyFlex teaching using a post-lecture evaluation strategy. In one of the lectures, we covered law-abiding leadership in university students, including abiding by the Hong Kong National Security Law. The post-lecture evaluation showed that students generally held positive views toward the HyFlex teaching and they perceived that the subject promoted their well-being indexed by psychosocial competence. Regarding the lecture on law-abiding leadership, students agreed that the lecture promoted their psychosocial competence, personal development, knowledge about law-abiding behavior and national security (including the Hong Kong National Security Law), and readiness to serve as socially responsible leaders. Positive perceptions of the lecture design, teacher performance, lecture content of law-abiding leadership and national security, and benefits positively predicted students’ overall satisfaction with the lecture on law-abiding leadership and national security.

     

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Quantitative Mental Health Literature in Occupational Therapy

ABSTRACT

A bibliometric analysis was performed to examine the impact and use of the peer-reviewed occupational therapy intervention effectiveness literature addressing adults with mental illness, 2000–2016. Of 2,597 articles, 68 were quantitative studies assessing an intervention for adults with mental illness. These studies had a collective citation count of 1,455 and were published in 29 journals in 14 countries. The majority (n?=?36; 52.94%) were randomized controlled and two-group controlled studies. The most commonly assessed interventions were life skills and community reintegration (n?=?20, 29.41%) and supported employment (n?=?16, 23.52%). Sixty-five (95.58%) studies found statistically significant results on the primary or secondary outcomes.     

Teaching Very Large Classes

The editor of Teaching Theology and Religion facilitated this reflective conversation with five teachers who have extensive experience and success teaching extremely large classes (150 students or more). In the course of the conversation these professors exchange and analyze the effectiveness of several active learning strategies they have employed to overcome the passivity and anonymity of the large lecture format. A major point of debate emerges that contrasts the dynamically performative and highly informed and skilled lecturer with the “wasted time and money” that results from encouraging students to participate through various active learning strategies. Other themes include the importance of story telling in the religious studies classroom, the significance of the differences between students' learning styles, and the challenge of teaching and assessing critical thinking and communication skills.     

A Comprehensive Review of Wraparound Care Coordination Research, 1986–2014

Wraparound is a team-based care coordination strategy for children and youth with complex behavioral health needs and their families. Despite widespread adoption, a review of the literature pertaining to Wraparound has not previously been conducted. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive review, ultimately identifying 206 unique Wraparound-related publications in peer-reviewed outlets. We then coded and analyzed the publications’ methods, main foci, measures, and findings. Eighty-three publications (40%) were non-empirical, most of which focused on defining Wraparound and advocating for its use, largely based on its alignment with the System of Care philosophy. Among empirical studies (n?=?123; 60%), 22 controlled studies were found, most finding positive or mixed evidence for Wraparound’s effectiveness. Other empirical studies examined implementation issues such as necessary system conditions and measurement and influence of fidelity. Major gaps include rigorous tests of Wraparound’s change mechanisms, workforce development models, peer support, and the use of specific treatments. We conclude that literature produced to date has provided useful information about Wraparound’s core components, program-level and system-level implementation supports, and applicability across systems and populations, as well as preliminary information about effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. The Wraparound research base would, however, benefit from additional studies of the model’s intervention and implementation components, as well as more rigorous effectiveness studies.     

Mathematics anxiety and mental arithmetic performance: An exploratory investigation

Abstract

Two exploratory studies were conducted to determine if mathematics anxiety, as assessed by the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS), is related to the underlying mental processes of arithmetic performance. MARS scores were higher when the test was administered by computer, vs. the standard paper-and-pencil format, and were higher for female than male college students. Small but significant processing differences in simple addition and multiplication were found when subjects were divided by quartiles into anxiety groups. Much larger differences in processing speed and accuracy were found with complex addition problems and a set of difficult problems (e.g. 9 × 16 = 134, true or false) that tested all four arithmetic operations. Overall, the low anxiety group was consistently the most rapid and accurate, the medium high was consistently the slowest, and the high anxiety group the most prone to errors. The results suggest that genuine performance differences exist among the several levels of mathematics anxiety, and that chronometric, reaction time-based studies of such performance will be useful in revealing those differences.     

Analysing multitrait–multimethod data with structural equation models for ordinal variables applying the WLSMV estimator: What sample size is needed for valid results?

Convergent and discriminant validity of psychological constructs can best be examined in the framework of multitrait–multimethod (MTMM) analysis. To gain information at the level of single items, MTMM models for categorical variables have to be applied. The CTC(M?1) model is presented as an example of an MTMM model for ordinal variables. Based on an empirical application of the CTC(M?1) model, a complex simulation study was conducted to examine the sample size requirements of the robust weighted least squares mean‐ and variance‐adjusted χ² test of model fit (WLSMV estimator) implemented in Mplus. In particular, the simulation study analysed the χ² approximation, the parameter estimation bias, the standard error bias, and the reliability of the WLSMV estimator depending on the varying number of items per trait–method unit (ranging from 2 to 8) and varying sample sizes (250, 500, 750, and 1000 observations). The results showed that the WLSMV estimator provided a good – albeit slightly liberal – χ² approximation and stable and reliable parameter estimates for models of reasonable complexity (2–4 items) and small sample sizes (at least 250 observations). When more complex models with 5 or more items were analysed, larger sample sizes of at least 500 observations were needed. The most complex model with 9 trait–method units and 8 items (72 observed variables) requires sample sizes of at least 1000 observations.     

Areas of Desired Change Among Married Midlife Individuals

Abstract

While much research has been conducted on marital satisfaction, few studies have examined areas of desired change in marriage. This issue was examined by using data from a national random sample of 542 married persons aged 40–50. Using qualitative methods to analyze the responses to an open-ended question, six major and nine minor categories emerged from the data. The overwhelmingly most common area of desired change was not being able to spend enough time together. Disappointment about their sexual relationship, problems with communication and conflict resolution, and displeasure with the affection and closeness in the relationship were also common themes. These findings suggest the importance of clinicians working with midlife couples to recognize the time demands faced in midlife and to help couples prioritize and Structure time to Spend together.     

Demographic, attitude, and personality differences reported by students enrolled in online versus traditional courses

This study investigated demographic, personality, and attitude differences between students enrolled in online courses and students enrolled in traditional, lecture courses. Subjects were 120 education majors enrolled in required Master's of Education core courses. Students enrolled in either online (n = 51) or traditional course format (n = 69) during summer and fall semesters 2001. The two groups of students were compared on an author-designed questionnaire assessing students' demographic characteristics and attitudes toward both online and traditional instruction and the Cattell Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire. Analysis indicated high demographic and interpersonal similarity between students enrolled in online course formats and students enrolled in traditional, face-to-face course formats. Significant differences in attitude were found between the two groups; online courses were rated higher by online students but viewed with considerable ambivalence by students enrolled in traditional section courses.     

A Systematic Review of Frequency Building and Precision Teaching with School-Aged Children

This paper presents a systematic review of the literature that assessed the effectiveness of frequency building and precision teaching with school-aged children. The authors evaluated studies in accordance with the What Works Clearinghouse standards and the council for exceptional children standards for evidence-based practices in special education. A total of 11 studies examining the effectiveness of frequency building and precision teaching for 170 participants were included in this review. Additionally, effect sizes were calculated for eligible studies. Small to large effects were found for all included variables. Overall, results indicated that the combination of frequency building and precision teaching is an effective method for increasing a variety of academic skills with school-aged children. Limitations, recommendations for future research, and implications for practitioners are discussed.

     

In What Circumstances Does Job Performance Vary With Ages?

Abstract

This paper examines what is known about employee age and the effectiveness of job behaviour, concentrating on studies carried out in work settings and linking these with laboratory investigations. Rated job performance is shown to be generally unrelated to age; overall, absenteeism tends to be greater among younger employees; accidents are more common at lower ages; and staff turnover declines with age. A framework is proposed in terms of three main components of job behaviour: (1) physical ability; (2) adaptability; and (3) general work effectiveness. The major practical need is seen to be the implementation of procedures that enhance adaptability among older employees. An outline model is suggested, with the objective of identifying those jobs in which greater age is either a benefit or a limitation. This model indicates that, in research as well as in practice, the key issues now concern the nature and enhancement of adaptability.     

A Systematic Review of Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Restricted or Repetitive Behavior of Individuals with Visual Impairment

Restricted or repetitive behavior (RRB) is common for individuals with visual impairment (VI), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability. Previous reviews have suggested that VI may moderate the effectiveness of behavioral interventions to decrease RRB. A search of the single case literature resulted in 30 studies and 40 experiments involving participants with VI to test behavioral interventions to reduce RRBs. Nearly all participants had significant intellectual disability, half were deafblind, and only two had an ASD diagnosis. Success rates were higher for participants with low vision (88.9%) than for participants with blindness (68.4%) and to reduce non-self-injurious behavior (81%) than for self-injurious behavior (68.4%). Although most interventions in this review involved punishment and more research on reinforcement-based interventions is needed, multi-component interventions combining differential reinforcement with brief restraint or specific response contingent on RRB appear to hold the most promise for reducing RRBs for individuals with VI.

     

Focusing and Expressive Arts Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

This pilot study (N = 18) explored the effectiveness of focusing and expressive arts therapies intervention on the quality of life of women with breast cancer. The format was a 2-day (7 hours per day) retreat/support group in which complementary treatments (focusing, writing, art, and movement) were provided in an intensive format. Our hypothesis was that an integrated approach of multimodal expressive arts therapy would result in improvements in several measures of the participants' qualities of life. There was a 6-week post-group follow-up telephone interview, during which several participants reported positive results. This suggests that the intervention was beneficial.