Measuring Behaviors: Duration & Latency
Duration recording is used to document the amount of time a student spends engaging in a behavior. A behavior that has a clear beginning and ending can be observed using a duration recording method. Examples of behaviors that may be observed using duration recording include crying, reading a book, writing in class, time spent working on a math assignment, or out of seat behavior.
Duration recording requires some way of measuring time. A wall clock, wrist watch, or stopwatches are all instruments that can be used to record duration. Sometimes videotaping or audiotape recording can capture what is happening in the classroom and can be reviewed at a later date. Advantages - Records frequency and duration (since you are writing down every episode that occurs; for example, student cried 3 times during school day and each episode was 30 minutes in length) - Can be translated into a percentage (30 mins of 60 min period = 50% of the period) Disadvantages - Requires time measurement device (stopwatch, clock, audio or video tape to review later…) - Usually requires an outside observer, may be difficult to take while teaching When should duration recording be used? - When interested in length of time of the behavior - When behavior occurs at a high rate and can’t be measured using event recording Latency Recording Latency recording is a different type of duration recording that involves an observer measuring how long it takes for a behavior to begin after a specific verbal demand or event has occurred. For instance, a teacher may be interested in how long it takes for a kindergartner to join circle time or put his toys away once he is prompted. Advantages - When interested in the length of time between a specific cue, event, or verbal prompt and the occurrence of a behavior - Can be used to prevent problem behavior by identifying the length of time between trigger (antecedent) and behavior, indicating when to prompt a new communication skill (for example: takes 3 seconds for student to cry after seeing a toy he wants, so prompt to ask for toy after 1 second) Disadvantages - Requires time measurement device (stopwatch, clock, audio or video tape to review later…) - Since it usually requires an outside observer, may be difficult to take while teaching When should latency recording be used? - When a behavior has a clear beginning - When you can identify a specific verbal instruction or an event that precedes the behavior of interest - When interested in time it takes for student to respond/comply, or when interested in when to prompt a communication skill Adapted from University of Kansas http://www.specialconnections.ku.edu/?q=assessment/data_based_decision_making/teacher_tools/latency_recording |