| The main focus of this study was to quantify time-on-task behavior of pupils enrolled in selected programs of vocational horticulture and to identify variables related to time-on-task behavior. Major research questions studied included: (1) What is the proportion of observed frequency of time-on-task behavior as compared to the total number of pupil observations collected during laboratory instructional time? (2) What is the relationship between time-on-task behavior and the variables of: (a) gender of pupil, (b) scholastic achievement, (c) pupil attitude, (d) career goal of pupil, (e) laboratory management practices of instructor, (f) teacher supervision, and (g) level of task difficulty?;Data were collected by direct observation of pupil behavior within the setting of a vocational horticulture laboratory. The unit of behavior observed and measured was the amount of time in which pupils were actively engaged in a horticultural learning task. A minimum of 13 observations per pupil were obtained per visit. A total of 15 observational visits were conducted.;The findings indicate that pupils were on task for 71% of the total observational time and were off task for 29% of the observational time. Male pupils tended to have higher time-on-task scores than female pupils. Direct and indirect teacher supervision tended to be associated with high time-on-task scores and no teacher supervision was associated with low time-on-task scores. The variables of gender, teacher supervision, and laboratory management practices accounted for 57% of the observed variance in time-on-task behavior.;The sample consisted of 49 pupils enrolled in five horticulture classes at four purposely selected area vocational centers. |
