Rost Spring 2024 Psychology 508/614 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis Dr. Ann Rost AnnRost@MissouriState.edu Office Hours: M 1-3 and by appointment E-mail is the best way to reach me. You can expect a response within 24 hours during the week, and 48 hours over the weekend. I do not respond to email after 9pm. Course Purpose/Goals: This course is designed to expose the student to basic laws of behavior analysis, and to specific strategies to effect desirable behavior change in various settings. The course will provide only a brief historical overview of learning and behavior theory. For more detailed historical and theoretical information, the student is encouraged to enroll in PSY 502. Our purpose is to build on general theory, and to provide the student with knowledge of application of behavioral principles. Using these principles, students should be able to develop behavior management plans and assist in facilitating positive behavior change. Individual learning outcome goals associated with each chapter may be found in each chapter folder on blackboard. Text: Required Textbook Miltenberger, R. G. (2014). Behavior Modification Principles and Procedures. 6th “Edition. Cengage Learning: Boston MA. (later editions work as well) Try to not get behind in your reading and study, as it is difficult to catch up. Your grade is based upon your completion of chapter activities found on blackboard and blackboard unit exams. Assignments: (due dates in assignment calendar) Introduction (10 points): You need to write a brief introduction of yourself to share with others in the course. You can access and post your introduction by clicking on the Introduction tab on the blackboard menu. Then, click on “Introductions – everyone’s favorite activity.” Click it again to see my introduction. After you read through it, click “REPLY” to post your introduction. Scroll through to read about your other classmates. You may find someone you know! Chapter Activities (190 points – 10 points per chapter): For each chapter that we cover, you have some activities (e.g. a short lecture, a video clip, reading, etc), followed by an assessment (e.g. writing assignment or quiz). If you click on the Chapter Activities tab, you will find a folder for each chapter of the class. Clicking on the folder title will reveal the learning objectives for the chapter, powerpoint slides you can use in your study, a link to an activity, and a link to the assessment. Each assessment is worth 10 points. These are due at the dates listed in your course schedule. They must be completed on time. However, you CAN work ahead. All activities are set to be available to you whenever you would like to do them. The quizzes can only be accessed once, and must be fully completed after you start them. You cannot work for a bit, leave, and come back to it later. The quizzes are short, you can do them all at once without any problems. Rost Spring 2024 Exams (200 points – 50 points per exam): The four semester exams will be worth 50 points each. These exams will be accessed through blackboard. You will have limited time to complete the exam, which means that you need to KNOW the material well prior to taking the exam. Once you open the exam, you must complete it in one sitting. You may access the exam by clicking on the Exams tab. Your exam will then be listed as available. The dates for the exams are listed in the course schedule. You have only 45 minutes to complete the 50 question exam. Once you start, you must complete the full exam. After 45 minutes it will autosave and close out, so make sure you use your time wisely. You must use Respondus Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor to access the exam. Directions and download link will be posted under the exam tab, if you have not used Respondus previously. If you study your material prior to taking the exam, you will not have a problem finishing it in the allotted time. Your exam will not permit you to go back to change answers. Your Participation: You are expected to complete all assignments and exams. Your responses and written assignments should always be respectful. In this class, you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your respect for individuals with developmental disabilities and challenges. I also schedule optional zoom study sessions prior to exams. You do not have to attend, but if you have questions or concepts that you would like to review, I’m happy to help! The links will be posted on Blackboard. How to be successful in this class: To do well in this class, you should follow the suggested pattern of reading and preparation in relation to the assignments that is presented in the course calendar. Read your chapter, take notes over your reading, and then complete the activities the following day. You can use your material, but try to use it as a practice to do without review if you can. Because there are so many new terms, this is the one class that I recommend using flashcards. It’s a bit like learning a new language to master behavior analysis. When it is time to take the exams, make sure you find a quiet spot, free from interruptions. Also make sure that you take the exam within the allotted time, as noted in the course calendar. I am not forcing you take your exams in a proctored center, however I do have a time constraint on the exam. That means you need to study for the exam just as you would for any other exam, because you will not have time to look up answers. You need to know the material, so study and prepare for the exams by reviewing your chapter and notes. Technically Speaking…. Rost Spring 2024 You will need to be familiar with the use of blackboard. If you need help with blackboard, you can contact computer services. http://helpdesk.missouristate.edu/about-us/contact/ Computer services also offers open lab help time for students. http://helpdesk.missouristate.edu/blackboard/blackboard-training-opportunities/blackboardtraining-for-students/ Links to library services may be found on blackboard. Prerequisites: The only prerequisites for this course include familiarity with blackboard, and completion of PSY 121. You can be successful in this course without a strong background in psychology. Grading Course Grade: The course grade will be determined by computing a total of points received on tests and assignments. Grades will be assigned using a standard percentage scale. The plus/minus grading system will NOT be used. 90-100% = A 80-89.9% = B 70-79.9% = C 60-69.9% = D 59.9% and below = F ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at http://www.missouristate.edu/assets/policy/Op3_01_Academic-Integrity-Policies-andProcedures-07-28-2014.pdf and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy. Be forewarned that plagiarism on your research paper and/or exam could earn you a failing grade on the project and/or in the seminar. Cheating and plagiarism are not acceptable academic behavior. Some examples of cheating include: allowing someone else to copy or use your assignments or exams, turning in papers used in other courses or from the internet, and/or using notes or your book for a closed-book exam. Rost Spring 2024 Plagiarism means presenting someone else’s work as your own (e.g., copying or paraphrasing someone else’s work without appropriate citations). In this course, anyone determined to be cheating or plagiarizing by the instructor will be given a zero on the exam/assignment and a letter of activity will be sent to the Department Head and Academic Integrity Council. A repeat performance of any academic dishonesty will result in an automatic XF in the course and a second letter will be sent to the Department Head and Academic Integrity Council. Disability Accommodation Policy: If you are a student with a disability and anticipate barriers related to this course, it is important to request accommodations and establish an accommodation plan with the University. Please contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) (https://www.missouristate.edu/disability/), Meyer Library, Suite 111, 417-836-4192, to initiate the process to establish your accommodation plan. The DRC will work with you to establish your accommodation plan, or it may refer you to other appropriate resources based on the nature of your disability. In order to prepare an accommodation plan, the University usually requires that students provide documentation relating to their disability. Please be prepared to provide such documentation if requested. Once a University accommodation plan is established, you may notify the class instructor of approved accommodations. If you wish to utilize your accommodation plan, it is suggested that you do so in a timely manner, preferably within the first two weeks of class. Early notification to the instructor allows for full benefit of the accommodations identified in the plan. Instructors will not receive the accommodation plan until you provide that plan, and are not required to apply accommodations retroactively. Nondiscrimination Policy: Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Park Central Office Building, 117 Park Central Square, Suite 111, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns (i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head. Please visit the OED website at www.missouristate.edu/equity/. Contingency Plan: We will continue our online course as is, even if there are changes made to the policy for seated classes this semester.
