Peer learning allows a positive use of differences between pupils, turning them into learning opportunities. Yet education professionals often remain unfamiliar with the principles necessary to guarantee its effectiveness. The aim of this book is to help practitioners establish well-structured and effective peer learning projects using a variety…

We conducted a meta-analysis of 13 instructional arrangement studies that were conducted with children with autism spectrum disorders to improve academic and social communication skills and behavior. Results across the studies indicate that peer-mediated instructional arrangement is a robust method for teaching and improving various academic and…

Four preschool children with autism played "Follow-the-Leader," in which a normal peer demonstrated and physically prompted a variety of actions and object manipulations that defined the activity. Following training, all four subjects generalized their imitative skill to a new setting involving new actions and object manipulations. (Author/JDD)

A teacher describes writing activities for second graders that encouraged development of writing skills and enthusiasm through writing conferences, peer support, and sharing. (CB)

Two moderately retarded adolescents received instruction on peer-training skills to teach a vocational task to classmates; subsequently, one peer trainer taught three peers to complete a complex vocational task. Results indicated that peer training can be an effective instructional procedure, with generalization occurring for both the trainers and…

The experience of implementing a writing center in a central Illinois high school created several suggestions for other schools considering such a program. Directors should first consider who would benefit from a writing center and what these benefits would be. They must then prove--to themselves first, and then to the faculty and the…

Describes a tutorial program where fourth grade students are paired with kindergarten children to assist in culminating activities and with review sessions. Explains the tutors' responsibilities, the program emphases, and scheduling procedures. (ML)

This study, with three mildly handicapped nine-year olds, investigated the effects on capitalization skills of a peer teaching procedure combined with student letter-writing activities. Findings indicated acquisition of the skills, with mixed results for generalization. Two of the 3 mildly handicapped peer teachers (ages 10-11) also improved their…

In addition to its other services, the writing center offers its staff professional skills that can be of advantage in careers ranging from teaching to business. First of all, graduate students who have tutored have an advantage when applying for assistantships, for they already have experience in conveying content and developing student skills.…

Micro-peer teaching is an important step in preservice teacher education at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. A three-lesson sequence used in a secondary methods course for physical education teachers is outlined. (PP)

This booklet identifies and discusses methods and procedures to facilitate appropriate social interactions between children and youth with autism and classroom teachers and other school personnel. It is designed to provide information and techniques that are useful in developing social interaction programs. An overview of four approaches commonly…

Co-workers of three job trainees with mental retardation used coincidental training procedures while completing their own jobs. Coincidental training resulted in improved accuracy of salad-making skills, but skill acquisition was very slow; subsequently, a model and a quality-control check were added, resulting in higher performance levels. (JDD)

Individuals with significant disabilities who have been trained to enter independent employment often depend too much on their job coaches. This guide describes strategies to enhance the problem-solving skills of learners with mental retardation by teaching them to use self-instruction or self-directed verbal commands. It details procedures for…

This document consists of a facilitator's guide and related materials for implementing a program that teaches social, communication, and study skills to middle school and junior high school students. The goal of the program, which incorporates peer tutoring, is the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. This program was developed in Iowa to address…

Supplemental Course Instruction (SCI) at Olivet Nazarene University is described as a program in which a high achieving student retakes a course successfully completed in order to model desired behaviors for other students. The SCI Leader demonstrates good study skills and organizes small group study sessions. This study examines the effectiveness…