Association for Behavior Analysis International

Learners with disabilities enter school without the prerequisite numeracy and mathematics skills to perform at or near the level of their typically developing peers (Newman et al., 2009). Even simple addition problems require prerequisite skills that are often not taught directly in schools (Browder & Spooner, 2006, 2011). Identifying and teaching those missing skills would reduce the learning gap and increase the lifelong independence of those learners. This study used a non-concurrent single-subject multiple baseline design across five learners with a pre-test/post-test analysis to examine the use of a norm-referenced, standardized assessment to identify gaps in student learning, create teaching protocols using video modeling, and assess overall growth after intervention. Individualized interventions were delivered using video models on iPads. Results indicated all learners were able to use the video models to acquire the missing skills and improve overall mathematics understanding, as measured by scores on a post-test. This has classroom implications due to the relative ease of administration of the assessment and teaching protocol as well as potential for improved outcomes for the learners.

Visual representation of results through graphing is an important method of determining the effectiveness of behavior analytic interventions. While several studies have been published on the effectiveness of task analyses to guide the construction of a variety of graphs, relatively fewer studies have evaluated the effectiveness of a video model on graphing performance. We used a repeated measures between-groups design to compare the effects of a video model, an instructor-led tutorial, and no instruction on the graphing performance of an ABAB design graph with masters-level graduate students using Excel. We also compared the extent to which graphing performance improvements made with these modes of instruction generalized to the construction of a multielement design graph. Descriptive statistics showed that students in all groups improved their graphing performance; however, the video modeling condition showed greater improvements relative to the other two groups. Results will be discussed within the context of practical implications for teaching graphing skills, limitations, and suggestions for future research.

The aim of this study is to assess the effects of Direct Instruction (a behavioral strategy) and Cooperative Learning (a teaching methodology), on participatory responses and on off-task behaviors during the teaching of the French language in a group of students of middle school. In particular, the participants are 13 typically developing students in a regular class to which have been proposed some lessons with the two types of teaching, during normal educational activities. The following target behaviors has been taken into account: the participatory responses at each lesson; the correct answers to a questionnaire regarding the contents explained during the lessons; the correct answers to a follow-up check at each respective lesson; and the frequency of off-task behaviors. The results were evaluated with an alternating treatment design and they indicated that the use of the Direct Instruction strategy has determined a substantial increase in the correct answers to questionnaires, checks and in the student’s participation and a decrease in off-task behaviors with respect to Cooperative Learning. These results were discussed by taking also in view of the possible future implications on daily teaching.

Say-All-Fast-Minute-Every-Day-Shuffled (SAFMEDS) is a Precision Teaching and fluency method developed as an improvement on standard flashcards. While research suggests that SAFMEDS is effective in developing fluency, procedural variations in the use of SAFMEDS limit the generality of these findings. More research is needed to identify the most effective SAFMEDS procedure and address replication and generality issues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three variations of the SAFMEDS procedure a) three one-minute timings, b) five-minute practice prior to one-minute timing, and c) unlimited practice one-minute timing. Students enrolled in an undergraduate Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) course with three lab sections (Groups A, B, and C) participated. Students were instructed to use the assigned variation for the first exam. Group A and B alternated SAFMEDS procedures for exam 2 and group C used the same procedure for the whole term. Performance on exams was evaluated between groups and against two previous cohorts test scores. Results suggest the use of SAFMEDS was effective regardless of variation used. This study extends the current literature and supports findings that SAFMEDS may help to increase fluency among learners.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the resulting pandemic has had widespread implications on the safety of the work that teachers do with students each day. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends people age 2 years and older should wear masks in public settings; however, for children with disabilities, wearing a mask may be difficult and as such, is not required (CDC, 2020). Special education teachers and students in particular are at high risk for exposure and contracting COVID-19. Therefore, behavior-analytic strategies that can teach and reinforce appropriate mask-wearing should be evaluated. In this study, students ages 3 to 5-years-old with developmental delays were taught how to properly wear a mask using behavior skills training (BST; Miltenberger, 2008) until all students were able to put on a mask independently. Then, a group contingency was utilized to reinforce the wearing of masks throughout the day in the classroom. Using a changing criterion design, BST and a group contingency was effective in increasing mask wearing for students in the classroom. A task analysis and instructions for implementation are provided and results discussed.