Does the Premium Fidget Spinner Increase On-Tack Behavior in the Classroom?
The premium fidget spinner is a hand-held toy designed to relieve stress and anxiety.premium fidget spinner It is a multi-lobed flat structure made from metal or plastic with metal weights in the lobes that is designed to spin around its central axis. It is a popular trending toy and has been reported to improve attention for people with ADHD. However, little research has been done to date on whether fidget spinners actually increase on-task behavior in the classroom.
This study examined the effects of a fidget spinner intervention on on-task behavior in three students with ADHD.premium fidget spinner Students were randomly assigned to either receive a fidget spinner or not be allowed to use one during language arts centers. Data were collected using the app Insight: Observation Timer on an iPad (6th generation). Permission was obtained from the school, teacher, university institutional review board, and students' parents. The study was conducted in a typical general education classroom. The teacher and students were informed of the purpose and procedures of the experiment, and were provided with a paper listing the fidget spinner rules.
For all three students, immediate and large increases in on-task behavior were observed during the first intervention session. This increase in on-task behavior was sustained during most of the intervention phase. Moderate to strong NAP effect sizes from baseline to intervention also supported the effectiveness of the fidget spinner intervention.
Despite the fact that on-task behavior increased significantly, students did not seem to be accepting of the fidget spinner as a tool for improving attention in the classroom. Acceptability ratings for Allison and Ben were low, with two of the three students expressing that they did not like the fidget spinner because it was a toy and not something they would have chosen to use on their own. In addition, the teacher of these students reported that they did not seem to be focusing on their work, and were often talking or looking around the room.
For Carl, there was a small decrease in on-task behavior during the second intervention session. This is most likely due to habituation, where the reinforcing effect of the fidget spinner may have been attenuated after a short period of time with it being used. Future studies should investigate whether the use of the fidget spinner can be improved by limiting its usage to certain instructional times, or by combining it with another behavioral technique to increase on-task behavior, such as a behavioral observation system that includes measures of both active and passive on-task behaviors.
Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.