Welcome to the latest episode of the Evolve Supervision Podcast, where we focus on mastering fieldwork supervision to build strong foundations for future behavior analysts. Today’s discussion highlights the challenges and solutions in behavior analytic supervision, exploring innovative tools, strategies, and research-backed practices to elevate the supervision experience for both supervisors and trainees.
At Evolve Behavior, we provide high-quality supervision experiences, especially for trainees who face barriers to in-person fieldwork supervision due to location or other constraints. This episode tackles common problems in the fieldwork process and offers practical solutions for creating engaging, efficient, and ethical supervision experience.
Current Challenges in Fieldwork Supervision
Rising Demand, Rising Issues:
With a dramatic increase in BCBA applicants and certificants over the last five years, many trainees enter the field underprepared or unaware of the BACB Fieldwork Requirements. This can lead to errors, delays, and challenges in meeting certification standards.
Gaps in Education:
Trainees often lack formal education in fieldwork standards during their academic programs, placing responsibility on supervisors to teach, monitor, and ensure adherence to these requirements.
Motivation and Accountability:
Many trainees struggle with the motivation needed to accurately track and document their hours. The absence of direct oversight from the BACB adds to the challenge, leaving supervisors with limited tools to enforce standards beyond punitive measures.
Learning Objectives
In this episode, we’ll discuss how supervisors can:
Enhance trainee knowledge and skills in adhering to BACB Fieldwork Requirements.
Increase trainee motivation and engagement through innovative strategies like gamification.
Implement behavior skills training (BST) techniques for mastery of practicum requirements.
Establish systems and boundaries to evaluate competencies and ensure ethical oversight.
Segment 1: Getting Buy-In and Understanding Requirements
Key Discussion Points:
Gamification for Engagement: Drawing on research by Parry-Cruwys and MacDonald (2020), we’ll explore how gamified interventions like “Practicum Slayer” can enhance trainee engagement and accuracy in tracking hours. Strategies such as points, badges, and differential reinforcement can turn a tedious process into an interactive and rewarding experience.
Tools and Resources:
Ripley Fieldwork Tracker: Visual tools to monitor compliance with fieldwork requirements.
Asynchronous Online Instruction: Research-backed insights (Atkinson et al., 2022) on using online methods to train trainees in fieldwork standards, accommodating diverse learning styles while ensuring consistent adherence to requirements.
Segment 2: Training to Mastery and Building Relationships
Key Discussion Points:
Training to Mastery: The importance of teaching trainees to not only meet but exceed practicum requirements, with structured feedback and regular competency assessments.
Building Professional Relationships: Creating an open, supportive environment while maintaining clear boundaries and high standards.
Practical Tools:
Task list tracking by session.
Mock exams and performance monitoring.
Self-assessments and final projects.
Segment 3: Implementing Systems and Setting Boundaries
Key Discussion Points:
Using research to design effective supervision systems, such as integrating gamification into hour-tracking tools.
Practical scenarios illustrating the importance of clear systems, including oversight on restricted hours and setting expectations early in the supervisory relationship.
Real-world applications of BST, including modeling, rehearsal, and feedback to reinforce trainee competence.
Closing Thoughts
Integrating innovative, research-backed strategies into supervision, such as gamification and asynchronous instruction, can enhance engagement, understanding, and adherence to fieldwork requirements. By investing in these approaches, supervisors can ensure their trainees are fully prepared for certification and beyond.
To obtain a BACB CEU for listening to this podcast episode, click here: https://square.link/u/qjLYOJYD
Connect with Us
Follow Sherrel and Kindra for more tips and updates on Instagram: @evolvebehavior
Thank you for joining us! Together, we’re building the next generation of competent, ethical behavior analysts.