Mary Hunter
Presentation given at the 2020 Conference
Staircases and funnels are two metaphors that are often used to explain the concept of shaping. These metaphors can be useful when shaping along one dimension, but they may lead a teacher astray when planning how to shape more complex behaviors. This talk will examine the advantages of thinking of shaping in terms of building blocks, rather than in terms of climbing stairs or narrowing funnels. This shift in thinking will help you focus on actions instead of outcomes, pick starting points that minimize variability, and know where to look when troubleshooting.