Using Adaptive Computer-based Instruction to Teach Staff to Implement a Social Skills Intervention.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an adaptive, computer-based staff training software program called Train-to-Code (TTC) to teach the administration of a social skills intervention. The software program actively trained participants to identify whether video models illustrated each step of the procedure effectively or ineffectively. Multiple exemplars of each step of the social skills task analysis were represented. Most-to-least prompting as well as feedback and error correction were embedded into the software program and prompts were faded through seven levels as the participant reached criterion accuracy. A multiple-probe across participants design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of this program by comparing pre- and post-training in vivo probes conducted with a confederate learner. All participant scores increased from pre-training to post-training, indicating that Train-to-Code was effective at teaching administration of the social skills intervention. These results have implications for training staff in applied community settings. Due to Train-to-Code's ability to be internet-based and to measure actual viewing performance, it has the potential for "distance training" deliveries.

Operations analysis of behavioral observation procedures: a taxonomy for modeling in an expert training system.

This article introduces a taxonomy based on a procedural operations analysis (Verplanck, 1996) of various method descriptions found in the behavior observation research literature. How these alternative procedures impact the recording and subsequent analysis of behavioral events on the basis of the type of time and behavior recordings made is also discussed. The taxonomy was generated as a foundation for the continuing development of an expert training system called Train-to-Code (TTC; J. M. Ray & Ray, (Behavior Research Methods 40:673-693, 2008)). Presently in its second version, TTC V2.0 is software designed for errorless training (Terrace, (Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior 6:1-27, 1963)) of student accuracy and fluency in the direct observation and coding of behavioral or verbal events depicted via digital video. Two of 16 alternative procedures classified by the taxonomy are presently modeled in TTC's structural interface and functional services. These two models are presented as illustrations of how the taxonomy guides software user interface and algorithm development. The remaining 14 procedures are described in sufficient operational detail to allow similar model-oriented translation.

Behavioral observation used to estimate pesticide exposure for farm workers in Brazil

Assessment of the harm caused by exposure to pesticides requires that a measure of exposure be available. While such information is available without difficulty in controlled laboratory studies, estimating the exposure of humans who have been exposed in the real world is difficult. The difficulty is increased if exposures have taken place over an extended time period and the documentation of specifics is unavailable. Three methods of exposure assessment have previously been used: comparison of exposed and non-exposed groups, estimation of exposures through self-report of the individuals, and estimation of exposure through assessment of biomarkers or environmental levels. Each approach imposes limitations. We propose an additional approach - estimation of the degree of exposure for individuals through direct observation of their behavior and their use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during periods of exposure. We also obtain opinions from experts regarding the risk associated with the various behaviors and PPE use and combine these with the observations to create a personal risk index for each individual. By including information on chemicals in use during this period, we can characterize recent (observed) exposure for that individual. By these steps, the degree of risk may be determined for recent (observed) exposure. An estimate of long-term risk resulting from work-related exposures can be obtained for individuals by summing across their work histories.(AU)

Behavioral observation used to estimate pesticide exposure for farm workers in Brazil

Assessment of the harm caused by exposure to pesticides requires that a measure of exposure be available. While such information is available without difficulty in controlled laboratory studies, estimating the exposure of humans who have been exposed in the real world is difficult. The difficulty is increased if exposures have taken place over an extended time period and the documentation of specifics is unavailable. Three methods of exposure assessment have previously been used: comparison of exposed and non-exposed groups, estimation of exposures through self-report of the individuals, and estimation of exposure through assessment of biomarkers or environmental levels. Each approach imposes limitations. We propose an additional approach - estimation of the degree of exposure for individuals through direct observation of their behavior and their use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during periods of exposure. We also obtain opinions from experts regarding the risk associated with the various behaviors and PPE use and combine these with the observations to create a personal risk index for each individual. By including information on chemicals in use during this period, we can characterize recent (observed) exposure for that individual. By these steps, the degree of risk may be determined for recent (observed) exposure. An estimate of long-term risk resulting from work-related exposures can be obtained for individuals by summing across their work histories.

Age related effects of pesticide exposure on neurobehavioral performance of adolescent farm workers in Brazil.

Adolescents (10 to 18 years old) from a rural area in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil were tested using the Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS) to evaluate their performance. Participants were drawn from two areas--a school serving farm children (rural N=38) and a school serving children from a city within this area (urban N=28). These children were drawn from an ongoing study being carried out by Fundação Oswaldo Cruz where rural and urban participants were matched for age, sex, and level in school. For this ongoing study, the participants had been interviewed to determine their occupational history, especially their activities that might involve exposure to pesticides. Interview responses were used to assign an exposure index to each participant. While a few BARS performance measures suggested behavioral impairments for the rural versus the urban participants, a stronger and more consistent association between BARS measures (especially impairment of tapping, digit span, and selective attention) and level of exposure to pesticides was noted when the exposure index was entered into a multiple linear regression analysis. Exposure appeared to be especially strong for the youngest participants (10-11 years old). The relationship between these behaviors and the exposure index was stronger than the relationship between behaviors and either age or sex.

Computer-based training for food services workers at a hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Interactive computer-based safety instruction (CBI) was given to 73 workers in the food services department of an urban hospital. RESULTS: Post-test accuracy (95%) improved significantly (p < or = 0.0001) from the pre-test (74.5 %), d = 1.09. Generalization was confirmed by increased accuracy in answering questions, posed on-the-job, that required application of knowledge to the work setting (from 46% to 79%; p < 0.0001). Problematic kitchen conditions such as puddles increased slightly after training, but adjustment for increasing production/workload revealed an overall post-training decline in problems from 0.58 to 0.32 (p = 0.0001, d = 0.89). Work practice improvement was seen in 79% of workers (p < 0.0001, d = 1.00). Effect sizes (d) of knowledge, location, and work practice improvements are large and demonstrate that the benefits of CBI extend to the workplace floor. Further, the decrease between knowledge and behavior change (d = 0.09-0.2) is less than reported following other forms of training.

Development of the Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS) to detect and characterize neurotoxicity in humans.

The Behavioral Assessment and Research System (BARS) is a computer-based testing system designed to assess neurobehavioral function in humans. It was developed to provide a series or battery of neurobehavioral tests optimized for the detection of neurotoxicity in non-mainstream human populations, specifically people with limited education or literacy. Key to meeting this goal were simply-stated instructions divided into an elemental series of steps, a 9BUTTON response unit to replace the computer keyboard for responding, and spoken instructions. Modifications all underwent serial testing in target populations to successively hone the changes to be more effective. A similar process was followed when developing adjustable parameters, test reliability assessments, and when implementing these tests with populations from different cultural groups and children. The principles and experiences that guided the development of BARS should inform the development of future testing systems to ensure that the new tests can be used with non-mainstream populations, which may be increasingly subject to neurotoxic exposures.

Interactive training versus reading to teach respiratory protection.

A tenet of behavioral education is that interactive training produces superior retention compared with reading. However, this has not often been directly tested and never with practical occupational information in working adults. Adults from diverse occupational backgrounds learned the principles of proper respiratory protection presented (a) in a book, (b) on a computer monitor, (c) through interactive computerized training consisting of textual information and illustrative pictures followed by quizzes and feedback, or (d) passively viewing the information and quizzes in Condition c on a computer monitor. Interactive training produced significantly more correct test answers at immediate posttraining, 1 week, and 2 months. This study demonstrated the superiority of interactive training for teaching occupational safety and health information in working adults.

Why simulate? / Why simulate?

Ultimamente, alguns analistas do comportamento têm recomendado o uso de simulações de computador para aumentar, ou mesmo substituir, as interpretações verbais e matemáticas do comportamento. Este estudo investiga a questão sobre o que a simulação de computador acrescenta a outras análises de comportamento. Apresentamos exemplos do comportamento humano de fazer cálculos aritméticos para ilustrar os benefícios da computação, mesmo quando os resultados são conhecidos. Propõe-se que a computação mecânica (simulação de computador) pode ter os mesmos tipos de benefícios, ampliados pelo poder e velocidade do computador eletrônico(AU)