WELCOME TO-SpEd 471/571 Behavioral and Environmental Management

• Spring Semester, 2008
  • Dr. Sue Severson
  • Special Education
  • Lommen 209G
  • 477-2585 (please contact me via e-mail rather than phone)
  • severson@mnstate.edu

“Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU
114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.”

Text:

Miltenberger, R. (2001). Behavior modification. Principles and procedures. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

THE GOALS OF THIS COURSE ARE TO HELP YOU:

Develop an understanding of behaviorism and its application to teaching and managing behavior.

Help you understand classroom management procedures.

OBJECTIVES:

When you are completed with this course, I expect that you will be able to:

ASTM Outcome 8: Use appropriate group and individual assessment strategies.

1. Identify dependent and independent variables.
2. Demonstrate the ability to operationally define behavior.
3. Understand the strategies for conducting functional assessment of behavior.
4. Demonstrate the abilities to conduct indirect and direct assessment of behavior.
5. Construct graphs of behavioral data and analyze the data.

ASTM Outcome 4: Employ group and individual instructional strategies.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of shaping procedures.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of task analysis & chaining procedures.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of prompting strategies.
4. Understand strategies to address generalization.
5. Understand fading procedures.

ASTM Outcome 5: Establish and maintain a productive learning environment.

1. Understand positive and negative reinforcement.
2. Understand antecedent control procedures.
3. Understand token economies.
4. Understand behavioral contracts.
5. Understand behavioral reduction procedures including differential reinforcement, extinction and positive and negative punishment.
6. Understand the MN Behavioral Intervention Rule.
7. Understand self management, behavioral skills training, cognitive behavior modification.

Instruction
Course objectives will be addressed through class discussion and group activities. Online study guides will help guide you through the assigned reading. It is important that you come to class prepared. Adequate preparation requires you to have the study guides completed for the assigned readings. At the beginning of each class period, you will have the opportunity to raise questions about the information contained on the study guides. This will be followed with a brief review of specific topics. Applied activities of behavioral strategies/procedures will be completed in class each day. Adequate preparation is necessary for participation in the class activities.

Assessment
Five tests will assure you have developed the essential knowledge base to increase and decrease behavior. Participation points will be earned with attendance and participation in activities. An abstract of a professional research article will enable to explore original research. The measurement project and major project provide you the opportunity to creatively apply the strategies you learn and reflect on them in a meaningful way.

Assignments: (All assignments must be typed).

• Test 1--20 pts
• Test 2--20 pts.
• Test 3--20 pts.
• Test 4--20 pts.
• Final Exam--40 pts. (comprehensive)
• Attendance & Participation (8 pts.)
  • Participation points are earned with attendance and participation in class activities. Potentially, you can earn 8 pts. Class activities are collected and recorded. One absence in activities is allowed. The number of activities you miss after one will be deducted from the eight points.

The following assignments are described in this syllabus. The description includes the criteria for evaluation for each component. BE SURE TO READ THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ASSIGNMENTS WHEN COMPLETING THEM. You will NOT be able to redo an assignment once it is graded. Be sure to ask questions if the assignment is unclear to you.

• Undergraduate Abstract Assignment--15 pts. This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.
• Graduate Functional Assessment--15 pts. This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.
• Behavior Measurement Project--18 pts. This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.
• Major Project--25 pts. This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.

Assignments will receive 1 pt. reduction for each day past the due date. Assignments will not be accepted 5 days past due date.

Evaluation

• 90-100 A
• 80-89 B
• 70-79 C
• 60-69 D
• Below 60 Failing

Behavior Measurement Projects: Due Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 (9 pts. each) (knowledge, creative)

This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.

The two measurement techniques you will use to observe and record behavior are interval recording, and time sampling. To complete this assignment, select a behavior exhibited by someone you are in contact with for at least three sessions (if you are currently conducting a field experience, your measurement should be of a student at that site). You are to measure two different behaviors using time sampling measurement for one behavior and interval recording for the other. Your assignment must include three observations with time sampling and three observations with interval recording. You cannot divide one observation into three time frames and count it as three observations. Attach the data sheets you used during measurement to the written assignment (data sheets are available on my website). Your written assignment is your summary of your behavioral measurement. It must include the following components (use these as headings):

1. Dependent Variable-very precise definition of the behavior (examples can be found by linking to "Measurement Project" from 471 index page) (3 pts.)
2. Setting-description of the setting (time, place, etc.). If you observe the exact same time, place, etc. for each observation you only need to include the description once. If your observations are at different times of the day or vary in terms of environment you will include three descriptions of setting (one for each measurement). (3 pt.)
3. Table-the table must include your observation date, the raw data and the converted data (3 pts.)-The table must be included in your written report to attain credit.

You will find data collection forms on the severson web site. These forms will facilitate collection of data and must be attached to the typed summary you submit. All information for grading the assignment must be on the typed summary.

Undergraduate Abstract Assignment: Due Thursday, March 13th, 2008 (15 pts.) (knowledge, creative)

This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.

With a partner or by yourself, choose a published article that describes a single subject or small group design. You can select your article from one of the journals located in the bookcase outside of my office or you can use the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis which can be found in our library. Please photocopy the article you choose from the journals outside my office and then return the journal immediately to give others access. The research should focus on persons with disabilities however, do not choose an article that describes a Functional Behavioral Assessment. Use APA Style Format for citing your reference. Abstract this article by describing the following components (IMPORTANT!! USE THESE AS HEADINGS IN YOUR SUMMARY):

• APA Format (1 pt.) (any questions about this, ask me in class)
• Subjects-complete description of the subject(s) (2 pts.)
• Research Design-identify the research design utilized in the study (e.g., multiple baseline, ABA)(3 pts.)
• Dependent Variable-describe the behavior described in the study (3 pts.)
• Independent Variable-Description of the intervention used by the researchers (3 pts.)
• Summary-description of the results (to include data) along with the author(s) (3 pts.)
• Attach the article to your summary.

You will be presenting this research to the class on a selected date sometime after October 30th.

Graduate Abstract Assignment: Summarize an article that describes a Functional Behavioral Assessment + Oral Report, Due: Thursday, March 13th, 2008. (knowledge, creative) (15 pts.)

This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.

• APA Format (1 pt.) (any questions about this, ask me in class)
• Subjects-complete description of the subject(s) (2 pts.)
• Dependent Variable-describe the behavior(s) described in the study (2 pts.)
• Hypothesis Statement-what hypothesis did the authors have as to function of behavior? (4)
• Independent Variable-Description of the conditions (interventions) used by the researchers to test the hypothesis(3 pts.)
• Summary-description of the results that supported or did not support the hypothesis (3 pts.)
• Attach the article to your summary.

Major Project: Due Thursday, April 24th, 2008-25 pts. (knowledgeable, creative)

This assignment must be turned in by putting it in the appropriate D2L dropbox.

To complete this project you will modify a behavior of someone (a person, not an animal) you know (not yourself) by completing an ABA single-subject research design. Following is a list of steps to follow in completing the assignment.

1. Identify a behavior to target for change (this cannot be a yes/no behavior, you must be able to measure it with one of the measurement techniques learned in class).
2. Measure this behavior for at least three observation periods (more if the baseline data is not stable).
3. Implement an intervention until you reach the preset criteria (or at least five days).
4. Return to baseline for at least three observation periods.
5. Your report should include the following (use these as headings):

• Dependent Variable-a precise, clear definition of the behavior (dependent variable)-3 pts.
• Setting-a complete description of the observation (time, dates, place)-2 pts.
• Independent Variable-a complete description of the intervention, appropriately labeled (e.g., positive reinforcement, time-out, DRO, DRI, Response Cost)-5 pts.
• Data-complete reporting of the data in a table including raw data and conversion of data if appropriate-5 pts.
• Graph (appropriately labeled) 5 pts.
• Summary of the Results (describe the functional relationship you have or have not established to include why it is functional, describe your results by indicating means, overlap, change in level of performance)-5 pts.

Assignment for Graduate Credit: Due Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 (creative)

This assignment must be turned in to me in class.

Identify one behavioral strategy and provide a literature review to support it's effectiveness with learners with disabilities. Your paper should describe/define the strategy and describe at least three research studies which support it's effectiveness. In describing the studies you should discuss the subjects, setting, behavior, intervention, and results. Graded A, B, C, D Use APA Style Format for citing your references.

Tentative Schedule (subject to change)

COME TO CLASS PREPARED!!!! Online Study Guides: On my website you will find online study guides to guide you as you read the chapters. The study guides are designed to help explore the content of the text. These will not be collected or graded but are a tool to help you better understand the material. We will not be reviewing all of the information from the study guides in class but expect to be responsible for this material on the tests. If you have any questions about the chapter content feel free to ask them during class. Class time will be used to perform a variety of activities. To adequately participate, you will need to come to class prepared. The study guides help you do this.