Graduation Year
2021
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Child and Family Studies
Major Professor
Rachel Garcia, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Committee Member
Catia Cividini-Motta, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Committee Member
Kimberly Crosland, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Keywords
distance learning, academic programs, students, virtual learning, peer interactions
Abstract
Enrollment in online academic programs has increased substantially in recent years (Allen & Seaman, 2011) and is especially relevant due to the COVID-19 pandemic (Khalil et al., 2020). Peer interaction and engagement opportunities are strategies associated with course satisfaction, test performance, and grades and should be incorporated into online courses (Conaway et al. 2005). Group contingencies have been commonly studied in face-to-face classrooms and have been found to be effective intervention in changing target behavior in elementary and secondary education settings (Barrish et al., 1969; Deshais et al., 2019; Harris & Sherman, 1973; Mitchell et al. 2015; Wiskow et al., 2019), but has received limited attention in higher education, particularly interdependent group contingencies (Carroll & Williams, 2007; Cheatham et al., 2017; Speltz et al., 1979). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interdependent group contingency on academic engagement among three online graduate cohorts. The results indicated an interdependent group contingency was not effective in increasing engagement and future research should be conducted to further evaluate the use of group contingencies in an online academic setting.
Scholar Commons Citation
Evans, Tiana, "Evaluating the Use of an Interdependent Group Contingency in Online Graduate Courses to Increase Engagement" (2021). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/8767
