Volume 6, Issue 3 (Fall 2012)
Using Interest and Interspersing Novel Tasks to Facilitate Reading Engagement Outcomes
David C. Parker & Matthew K. Burns
ABSTRACT: An important consideration for reading interventions is the way students engage with reading tasks. The effects of interest and the interspersal technique have been studied with some reading outcomes, but applied research is necessary to clarify the use of these approaches in classrooms. In addition, little is known as to whether interaction effects exist when levels of interest are combined with levels of interspersal. The current study examined the individual and combined effects of interest and interspersal on two indicators of task engagement: on-task behavior and comprehension efficiency. A single-subject, multielement design showed no evidence for interaction effects on comprehension efficiency, but there was evidence suggesting potential unique effects. No effects were apparent for on-task behavior, potentially due to generally high on-task behavior across conditions. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.