The Effect of Timeout from Performance on Attentiveness and Attitude of University Band Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of duration and frequency of timeout (with instruction) from performance on attentiveness and attitude of students in a university band. Timeout periods were of 15, 30, or 45 sec duration and varied in frequency from 3 to 18 randomly ordered stops during each of the six experimental ratios under investigation. The six experimental conditions ranged from 13% to 75% in the timeout condition. Although results indicated a significantly higher offtask rate during timeout periods than performance periods, no significant difference between 15, 30, or 45 sec durational periods was evident. Graphic analysis indicated offtask rates increased slightly as timeout frequency increased. Students expressed a preference for the experimental selections that required the fewest timeout periods.

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