Self-management software for students and teachers
We often overlook AT when we are addressing problem behaviors; we turn quickly to plans that involve outsiders in managing students' behaviors...but we know that students need to learn (and practice) those self-management techniques to be successful in life. If an AT or IT software program can help with that, perhaps it should be considered!
This month's Intervention in School and Clinic (vol. 43, no. 1, pp. 12-19) includes an article about KidTools, a free electronic performance software system for K-8 students to use independently to manage "problem" behaviors. The authors review the software as well as test it on real students. They conclude that the point cards, monitoring cards, contracts, and make-a-plan applications lead to positive behavior change and that some students improved their hand-raising behavior, self-regulation, and on-task behavior and others increased their focus and attention to task while reducing negative interactions with peers.
The KidTools programs are available in CD format and in free downloadable versions from the website http://kidtools.missouri.edu.