Where do children study? Behavioral observations

Abstract

The study conditions preferred by elementary and junior high school students for two different types of schoolwork were examined. Thirty-three students in Grades 5, 6, 8, and 9 were observed individually in a private study area at school where they worked on classroom mathematics and reading assignments (in counterbalanced sequence) under conditions of their own choosing. For both types of schoolwork, a majority of the students chose to study with radio or television operating. This preference was more pronounced for mathematics work than for reading. The results confirmed the findings of previously reported survey data. Individual students’ self-reports were significantly correlated with their observed preferences. © 1986, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.