Generalization:

Are you arranging opportunities for the student to practice the skill in various tasks and with different materials?

Be sure to not only present practice with one paper-based application form. These forms vary in length, wording, presentation and sequence of questions, and visual layout of sections. After practice opportunities across a variety of forms, the student may demonstrate consistent success and higher levels of comfort with the paper application form. However, it is not likely that this means that the student will show that same level of independence and comfort with the online process. A growing number of companies rely on the online process, and do not accept paper applications. The online process is quite different from the paper-based application form.

Below are just a few aspects that are unique to the online process (yet these vary across online forms):

The student will need to create a login and password, write it down, and keep it in a safe place (wallet).
Some online application sessions are timed.
The student should not use the browser buttons (e.g. the back, forward, home, or refresh buttons found at the top of the screen) because he might lose his work.
He should ONLY use the buttons on the actual application webpage. Usually includes arrows or text for “Back,” “Next,” “Save & Exit,” “Save & Continue,” and “Submit.” These buttons will vary across online application forms.
Some online application forms include the Pre-Employment Screening Assessment as a component of the application (see that intervention topic for specifics).

Are you arranging opportunities for the student to practice the targeted skill in natural environments and under natural conditions?

After the student has demonstrated successful completion of job applications in the classroom, you may arrange for her to engage in the process on-site at a local business. This is very important in many situations, especially for companies that require applicants to complete the forms while sitting at in-store kiosks. For these practice opportunities, be sure to help the student prepare by bringing any necessary visual supports for priming and reference.

Have you adapted visual supports so that they can remain in the natural environments that this student encounters now, and in the future?

When completing online applications, the wrong click of a button or keystroke can result in loss of any entered information. Most often, this occurs by using browser buttons to navigate instead of the buttons on the actual webpage. A visual may include a screenshot of the browser with the buttons to avoid highlighted with “DO NOT CLICK!” or a reminder card that lists the rules of navigating online applications. The mobility of these visuals is particularly important since they can be very useful if the student has to complete an online application at the jobsite or at home.

Are you collecting data to make adjustments to your teaching and to ensure that the student is performing the skill across multiple conditions?