An active project related to virtual reality and Applied Behavior Analysis is being developed. The project is called Collaborative Partnerships in Higher Education. ABA-VR was started in January 2024 and will be implemented within 30 months.

The project is in collaboration with Aalborg Universitet (Denmark), Masaryk University (Czech Republic), ViModo - Research & Education Hub (Cyprus), Beehive Blue (Spain), Autism Macedonia-Blue Firefly (The Republic of North Macedonia) and Donbas state pedagogical university (Ukraine). 

The main objective of this project is to develop a comprehensive educational kit enhanced by an innovative VR tool. Through this kit we aim to spread accurate knowledge about how to use ABA-based strategies among HED and professionals working in the field of autism (e.g.,psychologists, special educators, speech language professionals, occupational therapists, support workers)-thereafter referred to as ASD HED graduates, and train a pool of those students in each partner country on practical ABA-based strategies which will enhance their employability. More specifically, the project aims to:

1. Investigate the quality of current ABA training via a field research.

2. Develop, pilot-test and validate an innovative training model (BST in conjunction with VR) for teachers/trainers to help them introduce ASD graduates into ABA.

3. Carry out local trainings for ASD graduates, to professionally progress through knowledge, skills and key competences development in ABA.

4. Promote and disseminate the benefits of the scientific discipline of Applied Behaviour Analysis.

The project aims to contribute to the modernisation and internationalisation of higher education by developing an innovative VR-based training model for ASD graduates. Through this, the project seeks to improve the quality of ABA training and enhance the employability of graduates by equipping them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and competences that will be relevant in a global job market.

In the past period our team has been busy preparing and conducting an online survey to adult educators providing pre-service or in-service education training to those working/preparing to work in the field of special education needs/disabilities. The results of this survey will provide valuable insights into existing ABA training courses in all partner countries.

The team is currently working on the development of the ABA-VR educational package (Handbook for trainers on using BST (Behavior Skills Training) and VR Abridged sample curriculum). When the training package is developed, a pilot test of the ABA-VR training package will be organised by holding a 3-day training event.

Follow the project at https://abavr.eu and on Facebook to keep up to date.