Using Cell Phone Technology for Self-Monitoring Procedures in Inclusive Settings

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects and social validity of an innovative method of self-monitoring for middle school students with high-incidence disabilities in inclusive settings. An updated self-monitoring procedure, called CellF-Monitoring, utilized a cell phone as an all-inclusive self-monitoring device. The study took place in an inclusive middle school classroom in central Florida with two students with high-incidence disabilities. A multiple baseline across participants single-subject design was employed. Results indicate that the CellF-Monitoring procedure is effective and socially valid. Limitations of the study are identified and opportunities for future research are discussed.

“I Don’t Like Being Good!” Changing Behavior With Technology-Based Self-Monitoring

“…Although self-monitoring has been studied across a range of populations and settings, to date, there have been only a handful of studies in which technology was used to record selfmonitored behavior (Bedesem, 2012;Gulchak, 2008;Szwed & Bouck, 2013). In these recent yet foundational studies, technology-based self-monitoring proved to be an effective and socially valid method for improving behavior.…”

“…To date, there have been at least three studies involving the use of technology for recording self-monitored behavior (Bedesem, 2012;Gulchak, 2008;Szwed & Bouck, 2013). In Gulchak's study, an eight-year-old boy recorded his on-task behavior at 10-min intervals using a handheld mobile device (i.e., Palm Zire 72).…”

“…This technology-based self-monitoring intervention differed from previously studied interventions (Bedesem, 2012;Gulchak, 2008;Szwed & Bouck, 2013) in that the data were collected and stored in the app and then used by the teacher to facilitate conversation and provide reinforcement. Specific research questions included:…”

Meta-Analysis and Quality of Self-Monitoring Behavior Interventions with Children and Adolescents

“…A total of 74 participants (56 male and 16 female) were included in the 20 studies contained in this analysis. One study did not specify the gender of its two participants (Bedesem, 2012). Participants' ages ranged from five years old (Kartal & Ozkan, 2015) to 16 years old (Graham-Day, Gardner, & Hsin, 2010) with an…”

“…There were two studies in which participants had unusual conditions: Tourette Syndrome (Harris et al, 2005) and Floating Harbor Syndrome (Rock, 2005). There were four studies for a total of 17 participants that did not provide ethnicity (Amato-Zech, Hoff, & Doepke, 2006;Bedesem, 2012;Coughlin, McCoy, & Kenzer, 2012;Gumpel, 2007). The remainder of the participants ethnicity was as follows: 34 Caucasian, 17 African American; 4 Hispanic, 1 Asian, and 1 Native American.…”