Using a Tablet Device to Examine Effects of Varied Reinforcement and Preference

The present study examined effects of providing varied reinforcement versus constant reinforcement using an iPad and applications (apps). Participants included three typically developing children in a school setting. We conducted a preference assessment to identify highly preferred and moderately preferred apps. We then conducted a concurrent chains assessment to examine responding for varied moderately preferred content or constant highly preferred content. Although participants demonstrated different response patterns, all participants responded to gain access to varied moderately preferred reinforcement more than constant highly preferred reinforcement although preference for content alone would not have predicted this outcome. This research has implications for using high-tech devices (i.e., iPads) as reinforcers in educational settings.