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| Performance Engineering to Improve the Health of Persons with Retardation |
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 |
| 2:30 PM–3:50 PM |
| Liberty B |
| Area: OBM/EDC; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Guy S. Bruce (APEX Consulting) |
| Discussant: Aubrey C. Daniels (Aubrey Daniels International, Inc.) |
| Abstract: . |
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| Role of the "Client" in a Relationship with a Behavior Analysis Consultant |
| JAMES KEEFE (Warren Achievement Center) |
| Abstract: When Warren Achievement Center took the initiative to develop new ways of helping people with mental retardation learn about the effects of food and exercise, we knew that we would have to become substantially better teachers and performance managers. To that end, the agency contracted with Dr. Guy Bruce and APEX Consulting for the development of the learning modules and for training our staff to apply principles of behavior analysis and performance management to this project. Once that decision was made, we had to decide how to integrate APEX into agency routines, and how to reward staff for participating in this project. These are perhaps the most important decisions an agency working with an outside consultant can make. How do we present our "experts" to everyday, direct care staff in a way that enhances the consultant's credibility? How do we create an environment that maximizes the likelihood that our staff will "buy into" the project? This presenter will focus on the role of the "client" in a relationship with a behavior analysis consultant. |
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| The Performance Engineering Approach to Improving Consumer Health |
| GUY S. BRUCE (APEX Consulting) |
| Abstract: This presentation will provide a description of the performance engineering approach to improving consumer health using the PARSE process.The approach includes:1) Pinpointing the performance problem by defining, measuring, and evaluating desired health outcomes and the eatng and excerise performance necessary to achieve them; 2) Analyzing the causes of the performance problems, 3) Recommending the best solutions, 4) Solving the problem, and 5) Evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of each solution. Data will be presented to illustrate how the process works and descriptions of the process, management, and training solutions that are implementing will be provided. |
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| Development of a Data-based Cybernetic System of Performance Engineering |
| JOHN W. ESHLEMAN (APEX Consulting) |
| Abstract: The present paper describes the development of a data-based cybernetic system of performance engineering, including (1) a performance management system, and (2) an instructional system. The term ‘cybernetic’ indicates a strategy whereby data generated by the system effectively steers its ongoing development: For example, the behavior of a teacher comes under effective stimulus control of the changes to learner behavior produced by the instruction. The cybernetic system described herein concerns the development of a computer-based system to teach and manage nutritional skills to mentally-retarded adult learners. A touch-screen computer programmed in Visual Basic records food choices made, and presents feedback to the consumer with respect to achievable goals pertaining to weight reduction and eating a healthier diet. A parallel system, programmed in ToolBook II, combines Precision Teaching and efficient learning strategies to teach the consumers to make healthier food choices. The frequency and celeration data presented herein illustrate the types of data the computer obtains, and how these data are used to guide design of the performance engineering. |
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