Training Future Teachers to Conduct Trial-Based Functional Analyses Using Virtual Video Modeling and Video Feedback

Students commonly engage in problem behaviors, yet teachers report handling difficult behavior as their biggest challenge. Over the last few decades, some research has used functional analyses (FAs) to determine the function of student's problem behavior and then developed function-based interventions based on the FA findings. Despite the success of the studies, research has indicated that traditional FA methodologies are not always feasible for teachers and schools. Therefore, a need exists to develop better and more efficient ways to train teachers to conduct FAs. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using virtual video models to train future teachers to conduct trial-based functional analyses (TBFAs) and assess if the skill could generalize into an in-person setting. A concurrent multiple baseline design across participants was used, and results indicated that the videos effectively taught participants to conduct a TBFA. The virtual training generalized well into an in-person setting, with only one participant needing additional feedback. Additionally, results indicate that the virtual intervention was socially valid for all participants.