CESP Job Coaching Techniques & Systematic Instruction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When should a job coach begin to fade their on-site presence at the worksite?
- Immediately after job placement, regardless of worker performance
- Only after the employer formally requests reduced job coach contact
- As the worker demonstrates increasing competence and the employer and co-workers can provide support (Correct answer)
- After the vocational rehabilitation case has been closed
Correct answer: As the worker demonstrates increasing competence and the employer and co-workers can provide support
Fading begins when the worker shows adequate skill proficiency and natural workplace supports—such as co-workers and supervisors—can sustain the worker's performance.
Question 2: What is 'forward chaining' as used in job coaching instruction?
- Teaching all steps of a task simultaneously in one session
- Teaching and reinforcing the first step of a task, then adding subsequent steps in order (Correct answer)
- Starting instruction at the last step and working back to the first
- Providing a verbal preview of all steps before the worker attempts the task
Correct answer: Teaching and reinforcing the first step of a task, then adding subsequent steps in order
Forward chaining teaches the first step to mastery, then adds the second step, continuing in sequence until the entire task is mastered.
Question 3: What is 'errorless learning' designed to minimize during job skill instruction?
- The amount of time a job coach spends at the worksite
- Worker frustration and the likelihood of practicing incorrect responses (Correct answer)
- The number of task analysis steps required for a job duty
- Employer liability related to worker accidents
Correct answer: Worker frustration and the likelihood of practicing incorrect responses
Errorless learning uses high levels of initial support so that the worker rarely makes mistakes, preventing the reinforcement of incorrect responses and reducing frustration.
Question 4: In supported employment, what is a 'job analysis' (distinct from task analysis)?
- A breakdown of each step needed to complete a specific job duty
- An overall examination of the job's duties, culture, environment, schedule, and employer expectations (Correct answer)
- A written report summarizing a client's vocational history
- A standardized test used to identify a client's transferable skills
Correct answer: An overall examination of the job's duties, culture, environment, schedule, and employer expectations
A job analysis examines the broad characteristics of a position—including physical demands, social environment, pace, and employer expectations—to ensure a good match and to plan supports.
Question 5: Which instructional approach involves teaching all steps of a task together in each training session rather than isolating individual steps?
- Forward chaining
- Backward chaining
- Whole task teaching (Correct answer)
- Graduated guidance
Correct answer: Whole task teaching
Whole task teaching (also called total task presentation) has the worker practice every step of the task in sequence during every training trial, with prompts provided as needed throughout.
Question 6: What is 'shaping' in the context of job coaching?
- Modifying a job's physical environment to meet a worker's needs
- Reinforcing successive approximations of a target skill to gradually improve performance (Correct answer)
- Fading physical prompts while maintaining verbal cues
- Restructuring a job's task analysis to better match a worker's abilities
Correct answer: Reinforcing successive approximations of a target skill to gradually improve performance
Shaping reinforces behaviors that successively approximate the final target skill, building toward the desired performance level through incremental steps.
Question 7: What does 'generalization' mean in the context of job skill training for supported employment?
- The ability of a worker to perform a skill across different settings, people, or materials beyond the original training context (Correct answer)
- A general description of job duties provided to the employer before hiring
- The process of transferring a client's case from one VR counselor to another
- Summarizing a client's employment history in a vocational profile
Correct answer: The ability of a worker to perform a skill across different settings, people, or materials beyond the original training context
Generalization occurs when a worker can apply a learned skill in varied environments, with different people, or using different materials—not just in the exact training situation.
CESP Job Coaching Techniques & Systematic Instruction 2
When should a job coach begin to fade their on-site presence at the worksite?