Whole Interval Guide

TallyFlex’s Inverse Approach

Traditional whole interval recording requires watching a timer, counting intervals, and marking each one manually. TallyFlex flips this: tap only when behavior stops.

How It Works

Tap the tile once to start tracking. TallyFlex creates all interval placeholders based on your configured interval count, then auto-advances through them.

After you start tracking, TallyFlex handles:

• Interval timing (no manual timers)
• Interval counting (no tracking “was that interval 7?”)
• Automatic ✓ marking when you don’t tap

You only:

• Tap once to start tracking
• Watch for when the target behavior stops
• Tap when it does

Why This Reduces Cognitive Load

Traditional method: Watch student → Watch timer → Remember interval count → Decide if sustained → Mark result → Reset timer → Repeat

TallyFlex method: Watch student → Tap if behavior stops

You spend your mental energy on teaching and observing, not managing timers.

Best Practices

Define “interrupted” clearly before your session:

• ❌ Too vague: “Off-task”
• ✅ Clear: “Eyes directed away from worksheet for 3+ seconds OR hands not in contact with materials”

Start with longer intervals (2-5 minutes) until you’re comfortable, then shorten for more detailed data.

Enable interval notifications to confirm you haven’t missed a late-interval interruption.

When to Use Whole Interval

Best for behaviors to INCREASE that already occur frequently:

• On-task during independent work
• Seated appropriately during instruction
• Hands to self during transitions

Consider alternatives for rare behaviors (less than 50% of the time)—you’d be tapping constantly. Use Duration or Frequency instead.

What’s Next?

• Recording Methods — Overview of all 6 data collection methods
• Active Session Interface — Full session tools guide
• Session Summary — Review interval data after sessions

Need Help?

Questions about whole interval recording? Email support@tallyflex.com for assistance.