Reading Sage: Best Token Economy | Classroom Management

Using A Symbolic Token Economy to Encourage Excellent Behavior and Improve Classroom Management

Token Economy Explained

A token economy is a system of behavior modification based on the systematic reinforcement of target

behavior. The reinforcers are symbols or "tokens" that can be exchanged for other reinforcers. A token economy is based on the principles of operant conditioning and can be situated within applied behavior analysis (behaviorism). In applied settings token economies are used with children and adults; however, they have been successfully modeled with pigeons in lab settings.

Tokens Explained : Tokens must be used as reinforcers to be effective. A token is an object or symbol that can be exchanged for material reinforcers, services, or privileges (back-up reinforcers). In applied settings, a wide range of tokens have been used: coins, checkmarks, images of small suns, points on a counter. These symbols and objects are comparably worthless outside of the patient-clinician relationship, but their value lies in the fact that they can be exchanged for other things. Technically speaking, tokens are not primary reinforcers, but secondary or learned reinforcers. Much research has been conducted on token reinforcement, including animal studies.

As a longtime special education teacher and advocate of providing a fun interactive classroom that intrinsically motivates students, I believe symbolic token economies are an amazing tool. I use a symbolic token economy in many forms each year to teach, cooperative learning structures and strategies, economic theories through games, empathy and promote excellent behaviour. My class earns Tokens to play games or buy services and privileges.

My Top Picks for Token Economies!

1. SFA Token Economy Models | The First Token Economies I Used as a NEW Teacher!

2. Moneypalooza! Board Game

2. Interactive Games or Simulations | Economy Game Sample

My Game Money For The Ultimate Classroom Simulation