Tootling through a cultural lens: Effects of tootling on student and teacher behaviours in an inclusive school in Aotearoa

Abstract

This study aimed to extend the literature on the effects of tootling in an inclusive classroom in Aotearoa New Zealand. The tootling intervention involved students monitoring and reporting their peers’ prosocial behaviours, which was used with an interdependent group contingency. The current study used a series of AB designs to evaluate the effects on three teacher-nominated students from primary and middle-block classrooms separately. The study also investigated the effects of tootling on teacher praise statements with participant teachers from primary and middle-block classrooms. Target students were nominated for the study as they were thought to be at risk for emotional and behavioural disorders (EBD). Students were randomly picked from the rest of the class during data collection for the comparison group. Participant teachers included the classroom teachers present in class. An increase in academically engaged behaviour (AEB) was found across all three target students in the middle-block classroom and found in two out of three students in the primary-block classroom. An increase in praise statements from the middle block participant teacher was also found. Incidentally, the tootling intervention was integrated with MANA values practised in both classes; as a result, it was accepted as socially valid by the teachers and students. Discussion focuses on limitations due to Covid-19 restrictions and direction for future research.