Gamification is everywhere. It can be used personally, professionally, and even by big-time celebrities like Taylor Swift, who gamify their content. So what is gamification? Anesa Doyle and Joel Weik explain it as implementing gamified components into non-entertainment contexts, such as therapy, work, studying, and many other areas where you can clearly define goals and objectives and provide feedback and reinforcement.

Gamification Components:

Narrative – Break down content into a story or narrative using units, characters, and other elements beyond the task at hand.

Empowerment – Create excitement through reinforcements such as streaks, leaderboards, milestones, etc.

Scavenger Hunt – Encourage close attention by hiding details in the content with keywords, passphrases, and images.

Competition – Provide opportunities for competition, even against yourself, by tracking data to beat your speed or increase your scores.

The BDS modules include a variety of gamification components to encourage and empower participants as they work through the study process. Success is measured by module completion, enjoyment, social sharing, and, ultimately, BCBA exam pass rates.

Whether you're an employer or a practitioner, gamification is a useful tool. Joel and Anesa sum it up: the baseline for gamification is determining what behavior you want to increase and which reinforcement components would motivate and be feasible for those you're targeting.

Don’t forget, this episode is gamified, so be on the lookout for two code words we mention in this episode for access to a special gamification resource!

What’s Inside:

• What is gamification?
• How can studying with the BDS Modules be gamified?
• Using gamification components to increase and change behavior.
• Who and where can gamification be used?

Get your badge...the quest continues: https://forms.gle/wUXE8QQdYU9CGMLW9 if you caught the 2 secret codes, that is! 

Mentioned In This Episode:
Behavior Development Solutions

Let's talk about podcasting and the powerful role it plays in disseminating information. In this conversation, I'm joined by Matt Cicoria, a thought leader in ABA  podcasting and the host of the Behavioral Observations Podcast. This show is not just a cornerstone in the ABA podcasting community; it was also ahead of its time for the podcasting industry as a whole, with its first episode airing in February 2016 and planning beginning as early as 2015. Think about where podcasting was nearly a decade ago—still a niche format, but now it's a household term and a familiar type of media. Similarly, the ABA field has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, with a significant increase in the number of Board Certified Behavior Analysts entering the profession.

Matt's journey with the Behavioral Observations Podcast began with an interview featuring Dr. Gregory Hanley, a distinguished BCBA-D, setting the tone for many insightful conversations with leading experts in the field. Podcasting offers incredible benefits, from transforming one's career to creating additional revenue streams and fostering invaluable relationships with colleagues. However, these benefits come with the cost of the time and energy required for research and planning. Looking ahead, Matt is excited about expanding the reach of his podcast, with plans for interviews in Spanish through the BOP Español series, and potentially growing the platform into a broader media outlet. The future is bright for Matt and the Behavioral Observations Podcast, as they continue to innovate and lead in the ABA community.

What’s Inside:

• Why is podcasting important in the field of ABA?
• How has podcasting changed in the last decade?
• Pros and cons of podcasting for your career. 
• What’s next for the Behavioral Observation Podcast?

Mentioned In This Episode:
The Behavioral Observations Podcast
Behavior Development Solutions

Dr. Stephen Eversole and Dr. Jim Hoko join Rose to discuss micro-credentials. These are digital certifications that recognize mastery in a specific skill set, offering a flexible and targeted way to demonstrate expertise. Backed by blockchain technology, micro-credentials serve as trustworthy and verifiable indicators of assessed knowledge, skills, and competency. They allow individuals to niche down and focus on particular areas relevant to their professional growth. Many micro-credentials are stackable, meaning they can accumulate to form larger qualifications, providing a pathway to advanced expertise while addressing the unique needs of organizations and employers.

As an innovative addition to education, micro-credentials enable professionals to highlight their skills beyond minimum competency, showcasing their dedication to continuous learning and specialization. For instance, as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), earning micro-credentials can differentiate you in the field by documenting your specialized knowledge and hard-earned competencies. Recognizing the growing importance of micro-credentials, BDS is actively working on developing standards for their verification through demonstration, training, and more. One upcoming micro-credential will focus on the Appropriate and Effective Use of Experimental Design in Applied Contexts, setting a new benchmark for the field and aiding professionals in documenting and showcasing their expertise.

What’s Inside:

• What are micro-credentials? 
• Are micro-credentials a verifiable and trustworthy way to gain skills?
• How can individuals and organizations utilize micro-credentials in the field?
• What to expect from BDS for the future of micro-credentials.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Behavior Development Solutions
Center for Behavior and Climate

In 1998, Dr. Stephen Eversole founded Behavior Development Solutions, the creators of the CBA Learning Module Series. 14 years later, in 2012, Dana Meller co-founded Pass the Big ABA Exam, a pioneer in interactive test prep renowned for its revered ABA Study Manual and the popular Big Exam Prep Workshop.

The two formed what some would call an unlikely friendship, being competitors in the same space. Dana reached out to Dr. Eversole when she was beginning PTB for advice and guidance and was met with gracious knowledge and support. From there, the two began speaking to each other at conferences, sharing professional phone calls, and eventually developing a deep personal friendship. Dr. Eversole quotes another professional when he says, "Let’s not compete; let’s cooperate."

As developers in the test prep space, the two come forward with very similar philosophies. The BDS and PTB are not simply test prep or a shortcut to passing a test. They are tools to learn, understand, and become a better BCBA®.

They also share their hopes for the field, to maintain and improve BCBAs learning. As well as to get a place of inclusivity, collaboration, and positivity throughout the field of ABA. Dr. Eversole also shares his endeavor and hopes to change the world with ABA through the Center for Behavior and Climate and the extension of BDS to impact climate change.

 What’s Inside:

Meet the founder of BDS, Dr. Stephen Eversole. 

Meet the cofounder of Pass the Big ABA Exam, Dana Meller. 

A philosophy on test prep to create better BCBAs.How competitors in the field formed an unlikely friendship. 

Hope for the future of the ABA field.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Behavior Development Solutions

Center for Behavior and Climate

Just in the 12 years since I received my BCBA certification, I have seen so much change and growth. That change is even more apparent for Dr. Jonathan Kimball and Dr. Jim Hoko, Senior Behavior Analysts at BDS who have been professionals in the field for more than 30 years. 

Change and growth are always happening, and BDS stays on top of them so that they can be the most up to date and reliable tool for their consumers. They utilize input from users, reading up on the  latest literature, conference attendance, and a receptive and motivated attitude throughout the team.

Not only is BDS motivated to stay current with their content and information, but also with their teaching and test prep strategies. BCBAs meet monthly to read articles and journals on instructional design and pedagogy, to ensure they are providing the very best.

With a pass rate of over 97% for those that have completed the BDS modules, BDS is always thinking about the science and what they can do to promote and support the field.

What’s Inside:

• How has the field of ABA changed over the years?
• How has the BCBA profession changed?
• How does BDS keep up with the growth and change in the field?
• The receptive nature of BDS to improve, support, and promote the field.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Behavior Development Solutions 

Welcome to The BDS Podcast!

Today I had a great conversation with Dr. Kim Kelly and Terry Adams, where they shared their journey into the field of ABA and how they came to develop BCBA and RBT preparation content for BDS.

Terry Adams is the daughter of BDS founder, Stephen Eversole, and shares the mission behind BDS to “save the world with ABA”. Now they are doing so by creating a premier test prep solution, helping BCBAs be the best they can be.

BDS modules have unique features that engage and reinforce learning with active responding and immediate feedback. The content is derived from the test content outline with a 4000-question general guide, using resources such as The Cooper Book, BALC, and experts in the field. It provides a personal study schedule tool, specific topic searches, and even a money back guarantee. 

As Dr. Kim Kelly describes the way they analyze and create these questions, she reminds listeners that learning is hard and that good learners persevere. While they question designers might not make these modules difficult on purpose, they are designed to teach you and make you a better BCBA. 

BDS is not just test prep; it ensures success and learning for any BCBA who compl​​etes it!

What’s Inside:

• What is BDS?
• How can BDS help you prepare for the BCBA Exam Prep?
• How did BDS get started?
• Unique features that train BCBAs to be the best they can be.
• The benefit of active responding and immediate feedback.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Behavior Development Solutions