Avaliação de um sistema on-line de instrução personalizado na aprendizagem conceitual e procedimental de professores da educação especial

Abstract

Behavior-analytic procedures have been identified as effective for training teachers working in special education. However, most are implemented in a face-to-face and individualized manner, leading to a lower cost-benefit ratio compared to online training. This study evaluated the efficacy of a Personalized Online Instruction System (POIS) in teaching declarative knowledge about autism diagnosis, basic concepts of Behavior Analysis, and the implementation of three behavior-analytic procedures (Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement Preference Assessment, Brief Functional Analysis, and Functional Communication Training) to thirty-five special education teachers. All teachers completed the POIS modules, organized sequentially and individually, including video instruction, written material, and written and computerized feedback. Progression between modules was contingent on meeting minimum performance criteria in posttests. Nine participants underwent generalization tests to verify the practical application of procedural knowledge in simulated trials with confederates. These tests involved implementing the three learned behavior-analytic procedures, assessing the accuracy of correct responses. Results indicated that the POIS was effective in teaching declarative knowledge. However, in the generalization test, no participant met the criterion to independently implement the procedures, thus requiring additional training with feedback. This study contributes to the development of efficient and accessible teacher training methodologies, which highlights the importance of combining online instructional systems with in-person strategies to maximize learning and practical application of behavior-analytic repertoires in special education.