Students with behavior disorders are difficult to motivate and teach, having experienced failure in the traditional school setting. When placed in alternative programs, these students are often presented with a curriculum of basic skills and functional academics, rather than challenged by a variety of options that render meaningful or successful outcomes. Realistically, most schools do not have resources necessary in order to meet individual needs. However, it may be possible to apply some elements used in research models when creating an educational program for students with conduct disorders. Through the use of technology, effective teaching methods, and positive feedback, failing students may be brought back into the mainstream.

My project will describe common characteristics of the behavior-disordered student, as well as offer research that demonstrates positive changes in these individuals when schools allow for differences and offer challenging programs. I will furnish an overview of the types of technology and teaching methods in a variety of instructional settings that have been successful in motivating students with conduct disorders. Specific cases will be examined, in which students have made significant academic and social gains when allowed to make independent choices, engage in research, and collaborate with peers through the use of computer-assisted instruction.

Within the non-traditional residential setting of my work environment, I intend to chart my students in on-task behaviors when engaged in computer time v. classroom time. Using the findings from charting and project research, I will be able to assess the most beneficial teaching methods and programs within my own perimeters when dealing with non-compliance, explosive outbursts, and other disruptive classroom behaviors. Computer time is often viewed as a reward outside the academic program in this setting, as in other self-contained classrooms. I anticipate that my research will also reveal the disadvantages or merits of the reward/punishment approach to the use of technology in the EBD classroom, and enable me to adjust my methods accordingly.