Association for Behavior Analysis International

Applications (apps) that are developed for hand-held technology have become increasingly popular as an efficient and effective way to teach new behaviors. Relative to traditional teaching methods, apps provide a consistent way to deliver instructional content and often embed data collection features to capture real-time information on user performance measures. Data collected within an app or with apps developed exclusively for data collection may also reduce the need for human observers for data collection and/or entry. Additionally, apps may format data in a way that can expedite the export of data to software programs that are capable of a more detailed data analysis. This session will include a demonstration of one app that has been developed exclusively for data collection and an app that collects user data within the app. Data will be presented from studies that are utilizing these apps by classroom teachers and by persons with autism and intellectual disabilities. The panel will discuss the pros and cons of the use of apps for data collection and will welcome feedback from the audience related to the most beneficial features to be included in further app development.