The effects of a public address system on the off-task behavior of elementary physical education students.

Ryan et al. (2002) tested a gym teacher's voice over the loudspeaker. The teacher gave quick praise or reminders to three elementary PE classes.

They used a multiple-baseline design. Each class started the PA system on a different day.

Off-task behavior dropped in every class once the PA feedback began. The change was immediate and stayed low.

No extra staff walked the floor. The teacher simply spoke into the mic from the office.

Rosenfeld et al. (1970) and Fay (1970) showed the same idea fifty years earlier. A teacher's quick word or a radio beep cut disruptions. Stu et al. swapped the radio for a PA and still won.

Staff et al. (2022) now go further. Their 2022 RCT gave teachers two short training sessions. ADHD symptoms fell for months. The PA trick works, but tailored teacher training may outlast it.

Marini et al. (2014) stretched the target to older kids. They used the Good Behavior Game in high-school algebra. Off-task behavior still dropped, proving the rule works past PE.

You can cut goofing off in gym class tomorrow. Grab the PA mic, praise kids who are ready, and cue the rest. No extra adults, no tokens, no prep. If your school has a loudspeaker, you have an intervention.