This week 1

Data Collection

Your written response to this discussion prompt assesses your ability to explain possible origins and reasons for observable behaviors. This discussion also supports your achievement of Course Learning Outcome 3 and the MASE Program Learning Outcome 6.

In order to properly write positive behavior goals and create intervention plans, teachers and educators must be able to conduct observations of students and accurately define the behavior in observable terms. They also must understand the function of the behavior, or in other words, they must understand the reason the student behaves in a certain way. Once you have identified what function or functions are maintaining the behavior, you can start to implement an intervention that will help decrease the problem behavior and increase more appropriate behaviors. In previous discussions, you determined the best data collection tools to use.

In this discussion, you will be using what you are learning about data collection by providing a fictional recording of a student’s behavior on an observation recording form. This discussion supports your final assignment of creating a behavioral intervention plan. It is advised that you review the final assignment prior to working on this discussion.

Initial Post: Post an initial response that addresses the following areas:

Using the observational form provided on page 285 (Figure 10.4) of the course text,

· Identify a fictional student that has the identified disability (selected in Week One’s Post Your Introduction discussion) you are focusing on for this course.

· Describe the antecedent conditions, behavior observed, and the consequence conditions over a three-day period.

Note: Create three separate observation recording forms.

Guided Response: Respond to at least two peers. Ask questions of your peers about their responses to encourage further conversation. In your responses, reflect upon their observed behaviors. How does their information confirm or contrast what you have identified? Offer suggestions on other types of observations or consequences that could be observed within this disability.