Video modeling is an instructional technique that helps children acquire new skills by viewing, from videotape, behavior that was performed by another individual, and then imitating that behavior. Video modeling can be used to teach specific skills, play sequences, social interactions and perspective taking. Following are some of the benefits of this method:
- Non-aversive Many parents and teachers view it as an acceptable intervention •Convenient for parents and teachers because recorded videotapes/DVDs can be reused.
- Economical for teachers when instructing community living skills such as purchasing grocery items
- Easily implemented and feasible from the perspective of the teachers
- Consistency of targeted skills and training presentation from video and associated stimulus
- Motivation and enjoyment of the student
Here is the perfect app to teach video modeling:
Social Skill Builder Free- for iPad, iPhone and iPod. There are in app purchases for $1.99 This interactive app not only shows and discusses everyday social scenarios, but also tracks the student's progress and customizes skills and levels for users. The app has the following topics: My School Day, Preschool Playtime, School Rules and My Community. Each topic comes with a demonstration video; for $1.99 you can purchase 4 more videos. More videos are forthcoming. The videos are relevant and easy for students to relate to. After each video the student is presented with multiple-choice questions for the student to answer. Student data is tracked for the teacher to collect at the end of the session. It is especially nice to have an app that addresses all areas of social skills.
In addition to the app there are DVDs available for more extensive social skill situations. This app is a great introduction to a lesson especially for the one-iPad classrooms. Teachers can use iMovie app ($4.99) to role-play the video they just watched to reinforce social skills. If you have more than one iPad, teachers can track individual student data.
IEP Goals:
- The student will appropriately attend to speaker-listener responsibilities for: number verbal exchanges.
- The student will practice and use ritual greetings and polite conversational statements to maintain: number conversational exchanges.
- The student will initiate social interactions with adults using appropriate behaviors or verbalizations (e.g., use of appropriate eye contact, abiding by personal space boundaries, use of appropriate verbal and non-verbal greetings).
Vicki Windman is a special education teacher at Clarkstown High School South.
